A much improved performance but sadly a familiar outcome for away supporters as Gillingham failed to take a point from their first trip to Stadium:MK. 

New loan signings Matt Fry and Scott Vernon made their Gills debuts at centre-half and centre forward respectively while Stuart Lewis made his first start of the season in midfield.

The match took a while to ignite as both teams settled into the game and ten minutes had elapsed before either side created a shot on target. It was the visitors who produced the first notable effort, Curtis Weston with a drive from distance that was too strong for Gueret to hold in the Dons goal but he gathered the loose ball smartly at the feet of Simeon Jackson.

That chance gave Gillingham confidence and they went close again soon after as Barcham found room to test the keeper with an almost identical shot from similar range.

A foul on Barcham by ex-Gill Luke Howell gave the Gills a free-kick on the left hand touchline, Nutter's well weighted delivery was spot on for Mark Bentley who directed his effort narrowly wide of the far post.

Almost immediately the Dons responded with Jermaine Easter breaking the offside trap, it seemed the striker was destined to score before debutant Matt Fry slid in from behind to clear the danger with a perfectly timed tackle.  

The home side were enjoying the ascendancy by now and gave the Gills back four another warning in the 23rd minute as Easter played in Aaron Doran on the left side of goal but the on-loan Blackburn youngster sliced wide of Royce's left hand upright.

Moments later Puncheon pounced on Nutter's error, setting up Easter to shoot but Fry was on hand to lash it behind. Gillingham struggled to clear the resulting corner and Simon Royce had to be alert to stop Wilbraham's goalbound header.

Gillingham were dealt a cruel blow shortly before the half time interval when Scott Vernon limped off with what appeared to be an ankle strain. Mk Dons nearly found the net after the break in play as Doran's cross from the right was headed on to the post by Mathias Doumbe.

HT 0-0

Early in the second half Andy Barcham pulled a low strike well wide of Gueret's near post from an Oli flick on but it was the home side that looked the likelier to find the net.

That said, frustration was beginning to set in amongst the supporters at Stadium:MK and the groans were audible as Easter flashed a fierce volley wide on the left of goal a short time later.

That turned to joy on the hour as a neat move down the Dons left allowed Puncheon to run to the near post before pulling back to present Jermaine Easter with the easiest of finishes.

Substitute Lewis Gobern was next to try his luck, latching on to Easter's through ball and making space before sending a low shot crashing into the advertising boards on Royce's left.

At the opposite end Bentley's headed Nutter's deep ball back across goal, Oli arrived to challenge Gueret but the keeper was able to recover the ball at the second attempt.

In the 69th minute the Dons could easily have added to their tally but for a splendid Simon Royce double save. The Gills custodian denied McCracken's header from a Puncheon corner before hacking the ball away from Dean Lewington a yard out from goal whilst still prone on the ground.

Fifteen minutes from time Stephen Gleeson's free-kick found Aaron Wilbraham in the box, the forward opted for the spectacular, hitting a volley that was saved at a comfortably height by Royce.

Royce was called upon soon after to push Puncheon's corner to safety, it flew straight to Gobern who dispatched it with interest into the Cowshed stand.

With the seconds ticking away, Barcham and Fuller both blazed high and wide from half chances but in truth a well marshalled Dons back four never looked like conceding.

In the final minute Aaron Wilbraham put the result beyond doubt, gathering Puncheon's lay off on the right side of goal before rifling into the back of the net from 12 yards.

Attendance: 11,764

Gillingham: Simon Royce, Barry Fuller, Josh Gowling, Matt Fry, John Nutter, Mark Bentley, Stuart Lewis (Luke Rooney 87), Curtis Weston, Andy Barcham, Scott Vernon (Dennis Oli 43), Simeon Jackson.

Subs not used: Kevin Maher, Chris Palmer, Alan Julian, Rashid Yussuff, Jack Payne

MK Dons: Willy Gueret, Dean Lewington, Mathias Doumbe, David McCracken, Stephen Gleeson, Jermaine Easter (Jemal Johnson 76), Aaron Wilbraham, Jason Puncheon, Luke Howell, Peter Leven (Oscar Gobern 90+1), Aaron Doran (Lewis Gobern 56).

Subs not used: Sam Baldock, Stuart Searle, Dean Morgan, Danny Swailes.