Scott Hogan's first-half goal earned MK Dons a 1-0 win at Crewe Alexandra as new boss Paul Warne steered his team to League Two safety.
In contrast, the Railwaymen's play-off hopes are almost over as they are five points adrift of seventh-placed Grimsby Town with two games to play.
Kane Hemmings dragged a tame shot past the post and Adam Conway planted a far-post header into the arms of Craig MacGillivray as Crewe started on the front foot.
But an uncharacteristic mistake by Alex keeper Filip Marschall offered MK Dons striker Hogan an easy opener in the 28th minute. The keeper took too long clearing his lines and Hogan seized on the ball off Marschall's toes and finished off into an empty net.
Crewe started the second half on the attack and Conor Thomas had a goalbound effort blocked. Yet they were almost caught out at the back when Jonathan Leko wasted a breakaway for the visitors by delaying his to Hogan who was closed down quickly.
Crewe kept persevering and Joel Tabiner's effort flew over via a deflection, although Hemmings wasted a free-kick from 20 yards out by firing into the wall.
MK Dons remained dangerous on the break and Hogan cut in from the right and hit a deflected effort just over.
Tabiner went close for Crewe with a 25-yard free-kick, but Lee Bell's side lacked quality in the final third and almost fell further behind in the closing minutes when substitute Danilo Orsi nearly picked out the far corner with a low drive.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
"When you get one in the family jewels, it's as important as scoring at the other end" - MK Dons boss Paul Warne
