Full-time: Cheltenham Town 3 MK Dons 5

Damian Spencer returned from injury with a second-half hat-trick for Cheltenham Town, but he could not prevent the Robins slipping to a 5-3 defeat in a remarkable game at Whaddon Road.

A stunning strike from Jemal Johnson and two Aaron Wilbraham efforts gave MK Dons a commanding 3-0 half-time lead.

The Robins had responded well to falling behind to Johnson's spectacular effort in the 17th minute, but they failed to convert any of their chances and two quick goals shortly before half-time virtually killed the game off.

The transfer-listed Spencer was introduced at the break and helped make the second half more interesting, before he was sent off with five minutes to go for a foul on MK Dons skipper Dean Lewington.

Willy Gueret saved Ian Westlake’s right footed effort in the 12th minute and Scott Brown made a good save from Sam Baldock seconds later as both goalkeepers were called into action early on.

Skipper John Finnigan combined with Josh Low to set up Westlake for another chance two minutes later, but Gueret did well to claw the ball away for a corner at full stretch.

David Bird’s long throw was flicked on by Lloyd Owusu into the path of Ashley Vincent, but Gueret was again equal to his low shot.

MK Dons launched a swift counter attack and American winger Johnson, who started his career at Blackburn Rovers, fired a shot into the top right corner from 30 yards to put Roberto Di Matteo’s men ahead.

There was more bad news for Cheltenham two minutes later as Bird, who had suffered a heavy fall in the opening minute, was forced off and he was replaced by Andy Gallinagh at right-back.

Alex Russell, back in the side in place of Elvis Hammond, went down under Miguel Llera’s challenge in the penalty area in the 25th minute, but claims for a spot kick were waved away by the referee.

Owusu, who was sent off the last time the sides met at stadium:mk last October, was cautioned for dissent in the 37th minute after animated protests over the award of a goal kick to the Dons when he felt he should have won a corner.

Gueret made another smart save in the 42nd minute from Lee Ridley after Shane Duff’s flick from Westlake’s cross.

Cheltenham had been on top for much of the half, but the Dons struck again three minutes before the break.

Johnson's cross from the left flashed across goal and was missed by everyone, allowed Wilbraham to thump into the net emphatically.

And to make matters even worse, Wilbraham claimed his second after reaching Luke Chadwick's cross that was helped on by Baldock during first-half stoppage time to make it a major uphill struggle for the Robins in the second period.

Allen sent on Spencer in place of Low at half-time. Chadwick dispossessed Finnigan and weaved his way into the penalty area, but Brown blocked well in the 57th minute.

Johnson fed Puncheon on the left and he crossed to Wilbraham, who had an amazing amount of time at the far post and he completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute to make it 4-0.

Cheltenham pulled one back in the 68th minute and it was Spencer on target on his comeback from injury.

Russell’s corner was not dealt with and Ridley did well to battle for the ball on the goal line.  He sent across a low ball that was blocked and as some appealed for handball, Spencer kept his head and fired low into the bottom left corner.

But the Dons restored their four-goal advantage three minutes later through Johnson’s second. Russell’s free-kick was cleared and with players committed forward Gallinagh was left to face two attackers, but Johnson went all the way on his own, finding the bottom right corner with ease.

Spencer added his second in the 75th minute, sweeping in Nicholas Bignall’s cross with aplomb.

Regan brought down Owusu in the penalty area in the 80th minute, giving Spencer the chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot and he made no mistake to become the first player to score two Football League hat-tricks for Cheltenham.

At 5-3 with 10 minutes to go, the game was not over, but Spencer was sent off in the 85th minute for a lunging challenge on Lewington.