MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon had to share the points after a 0-0 draw at Stadium MK.

A scrappy game was shaded by the home side, who had their moments and chances, but a game that provided an accumulated total of just three shots on target failed to see either side find the winning breakthrough.

A point sees MK Dons end a run of defeats, having lost their previous three games, while they also picked up a first point in four games against AFC Wimbledon. The Dons remain adrift in the play-off battle, however, with the side from MK 9 points off the top six in League Two with 18 games to go.

Following defeat by Fleetwood in a game in hand in midweek, MK Dons arrived seeking a result to kickstart their hopes of making a late run to the play-offs. Waiting for them would be a tough test, in the form of rivals AFC Wimbledon, with the visitors having already beaten MK Dons in the league and FA Cup this season and arriving with the league’s best defensive record.

The game saw new faces introduced to the Stadium MK crowd, with Nathan Thompson making a first team debut the day after signing for MK Dons from Stevenage, while recent arrivals Dan Crowley and Jay Williams made their first appearances at home for the club.

Hoping to make an early impression, MK Dons nearly found a way through inside the opening minute, as from kick-off, Aaron Nemane saw a strike blocked by a covering defender.

Scott Hogan would be denied by visiting keeper Owen Goodman, albeit from an offside position, before an off-balance Hogan would see a looping header held by the AFC Wimbledon keeper a few moments later.

The hosts continued to have a fast start, with perhaps their best chance seeing Luke Offord head over from Joe Tomlinson’s cross into the box.

MK Dons then saw another good opportunity ultimately thwarted by the officials, who deemed Jay Williams to have fouled in the build up before Joe White saw a strike denied by Goodman.

Having not found a breakthrough early on, MK Dons then found momentum checked as the game became scrappier. Williams would earn a booking for a foul that nearly started a melee, with his boss Lindsey then booked for his own discussions with the officials.

AFC Wimbledon nearly sprung a surprise on the hosts as they began to offer more, but their best efforts saw James Tilley miscue an attempted overhead kick before Josh Kelly planted a strike in the stands.

After the half-time interval, Hogan would see a strike blocked by a covering defender in the opening moments of the half, before Thompson headed over at the resulting corner.

MK then had two shots blocked when AFC keeper Goodman could only parry White’s cross into an area of danger, but the away side’s rear-guard remained a stubborn one.

Long periods of the second half would ultimately be played in the middle third of the pitch, as while MK Dons had moments going forward and AFC Wimbledon would have a threat, neither side was consistently providing moments to worry the two goalkeepers.

When the game entered the final stages, it began to see more momentum applied as both sides chased the win. Alex Gilbey would see a strike blocked before a fine block by Thompson prevented away sub Aron Sasu from a clear run at goal.

An MK Dons free-kick nearly caused some chaos in the box, before the game was halted when a collision left home sub Charlie Waller and away sub Sasu on the deck, with Waller needing a bandage and clean shirt after coming off worse.

That ultimately delayed the three minutes of injury time, meaning that in the sixth and final minute, perhaps the chance of the game fell AFC Wimbledon’s way.

An errant backpass by Thompson nearly caught out Craig MacGillivray, who stood tall to smother Marcus Browne’s shot at close range, before Matty Stevens had a follow-up blocked and Alistair Smith planted the ball into the stands with the final kick of the game.

That meant stalemate at Stadium MK, with MK Dons now turning attentions to seeking a first home win since early December when they host Harrogate on Tuesday.

MK Dons: MacGillivray – Offord (Waller 45), Thompson, Lawrence – Nemane, White (Thompson-Sommers 76), Williams, Tomlinson – Crowley, Hogan, Gilbey

Subs not used: McGill, Harrison, O’Reilly, Hendry, Lemonheigh-Evans

Booked: Williams, Lindsey (HC)

AFC Wimbledon: Goodman – Lewis (Ogundere 73), Hutchinson, Johnson – Neufville, Smith, Reeves, Tilley – Stevens, Bugiel (Sasu 80), Kelly (Browne 73)

Subs not used: Ward, Furlong, Hippolyte, Pigott

Booked: Smith, Browne