Charlton slumped to a fifth straight defeat at Stadium:mk on Tuesday evening, and have now gone eleven games without a win.
Worryingly, the Addicks picked up more injuries. Jordan Cousins had to be replaced in the second half, Johann Berg Gudmundsson picked up a nasty looking ankle injury late on, and Tony Watt was limping badly by the end of the game, and was a virtual passenger.
Karel Fraeye had used all his permitted substitutes by the time Gudmundsson was forced off, leaving the Addicks with ten men.
Gudmundsson and Watt in particular, look real doubts for Saturday’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday. Charlton may have to consider a foray into the loan market.
Karl Robinson, like Preston and Brentford, deployed a five man midfield, giving the Dons the upper hand.
The pitch was bobbly, and the wet weather made conditions difficult.
Reza Ghoochannejhad, Conor McAleny and Tony Watt all started, with Karlan Ahearne-Grant, El-Hadji Ba and Simon Makienok dropping to the bench.
Teenage sensation, Ademola Lookman, made his senior debut as a second half substitute.
Ghoochannejhad. Looked lively and tested David Martin in the MK Dons goal on a couple of occasions.
The hosts fashioned the better chances though and Dean Bowditch finished a neat move after 29 minutes to score the game’s only goal to win the game.
The Dons went close three times in the first ten minutes of the second half. It took a last ditch tackle from Morgan Fox to foil Bowditch, Stephen Henderson had to be at his best to stop Nicky Maynard scoring, and Bowditch hit the post when he cut in from the right.
Henderson had to tip an effort from Darren Potter over as well.
Results elsewhere saw the Addicks remain 23rd in the table, but they are now four points from safety.
Charlton: Henderson, Solly, Diarra, Bauer, Fox; McAleny (Ahearne-Grant 46), Cousins (Makienok 61), Jackson, Gudmundsson; Watt, Ghoochannejhad (Lookman 65).
Subs (not used): Pope, Sarr, Holmes-Dennis, Ba.
Booked: Gudmundsson 16 (foul), Bauer 33 (foul), Diarra 45 (foul), Ghoochannejhad 51 (foul), Jackson 62 (handball).
MK Dons: Martin,; Spence, Upson (Hodson 39), Kay, Lewington; Potter, Carruthers, Murphy, Poyet, Maynard (Church 77); Bowditch (Baker 72).
Subs (Not used): Cropper, Gallagher, Powell, Hall.
Goals: Bowditch 29
Booked: Maynard 73 (foul), Kay 87 (time wasting).
Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).
Attn: 9,575.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic