Full-time: Swindon Town 1 Milton Keynes Dons 1. An early Billy Paynter goal was not enough to help Swindon Town secure a much-needed victory against promotion-chasing MK Dons this afternoon.

Town striker Paynter edged into double figures for the season after converting an Anthony McNamee ball on 19 minutes to put Danny Wilson's side in front against the run of play.

Dons striker Aaron Wilbraham took less than 10 minutes to restore parity when finding himself in the right place at the right time to sweep home a Jemal Johnson shot after Jude Stirling's long throw into the penalty area caused confusion.

Simon Cox was unlucky not to restore Town's slender advantage nine minutes before the break when seeing his side-footed effort from close range hit goalkeeper Willy Gueret and rattle the crossbar following a quick counter-attack led by Hal-Robson-Kanu.

Kevin Amankwaah forced a fine save out of Gueret with a rasping drive on the stroke of half-time before Paynter rattled the post with another effort soon after the restart as Town finally found their rhythm after a slow start.

Dons keeper Willy Gueret had to pull off a splendid one-handed save to deny Hal Robson-Kanu from close-range and Anthony McNamee robbed Dean Lewington only to curl a shot inches wide of the post when in search of what would have been a well-deserved winner.

Roberto Di Matteo's side showed little of the verve that has secured them 10 wins on their travels so far this season – but Peter Brezovan had to be at his best to deny Wilbraham from close-range after the ball ran loose from a corner.

Former Manchester United wideman Luke Chadwick also hit the outside of the post when Town failed to deal decisively with another corner and midfielder Peter Leven went close before the Dons were happy to settle for a point when forced to play out the final eight minutes with 10 men, after Lewington was dismissed for picking up two yellow cards.

Town boss Danny Wilson had dropped Jerel Ifil from the starting line-up to offer Sean Morrison a rare chance, while Amankwaah was drafted in at full-back in place of the injured Jack Smith. Lilian Nalis came into midfield to replace Lee Peacock, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a long-term back injury.

Swindon Town (4-4-2): Brezovan; Amankwaah, Greer, Morrison (Ifil 82), Vincent; Robson-Kanu, Nalis, Timlin, McNamee (Marshall 75); Cox, Paynter. Subs not used: P Smith, Sturrock, Razak.

MK Dons (4-4-2): Gueret; Cummings, Stirling, O'Hanlon, Lewington; Johnson (Powell 58), Leven, Navarro, Chadwick (Regan 88); Baldock, Wilbraham. Subs not used: Abbey, Gerba, Belson,