Callum Paterson was the match winner as MK Dons edged a 1-0 League Two victory over Bristol Rovers at Stadium MK to move up to second.

A hard-fought contest was decided by Paterson's close-range finish in first-half stoppage-time.

Rovers remain just outside the relegation zone, but are now on a run of only one win in 17 league games.

A scrappy first half saw both sides create chances. MK Dons' best efforts saw Luke Offord strike the crossbar and Jon Mellish's header hit the post, while Rovers' Fabrizio Cavegn had two strikes denied by Craig MacGillivray.

MK Dons opened the scoring in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage-time, as Paterson scored his fourth goal in two games when he turned in Aaron Collins' cross.

The visitors missed chances to equalise, with debutant Mees Rijks, Shaq Forde and Jack Sparkes all seeing headers go over the top.

Gethin Jones missed a chance to wrap things up for the hosts after his shot was saved by Rovers goalkeeper Brad Young.