NIGEL Clough said it took an incredible effort by his team to secure a vital three points that takes the Brewers into the top six.
A Liam Boyce first half goal was enough to earn a 1-0 win over an MK Dons side who had the bulk of the possession and who pressed hard for an equaliser.
The Brewers manager said: “We had to defend in numbers, and it was an incredible effort by the players to see it through. We restricted them to two or three real opportunities, but they are a very good team. They kept the ball, kept probing and everybody in our team is dead on their feet tonight after the game.
“If we do our jobs in the next few weeks there might be a few more like that. I hope so in March and April, where we are hanging onto leads so it’s good character building and good practice hopefully for later on in the season.
“The six added minutes seemed an awfully long time, but we got a foot in and a head away when we needed it and every single player, often playing out of position, did their job.
“Any three points are important if you want to make the play offs. But when you have lots of players out and a tired team like we had tonight they are even more important. When Lucas Akins, our fittest player is on his knees and shattered at the end of the game then everyone is going to be.
“It has been the same players week-in, week-out and they all look shattered tonight and it as good a three points as we have had this season.
“We have had enough times where we have played well, dominated games created chances and have not come off with the three points so we deserve a few of these.
“We had two or three great opportunities in the first 10 minutes to punish them but eventually they pushed us back and there are times when you have to say that you can’t go pressing as you haven’t got the energy and you have to play accordingly.”