MK Dons have picked up a crucial 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic to move four points above the Championship relegation zone.

Josh Murphy missed the target as MK Dons built an attack straight from kickoff, before Jordan Cousins missed the target with two shots.

Dean Bowditch gave Dons the lead on the half-hour mark when he combined with Samir Carruthers before side-footing the ball into the bottom left corner.

Tony Watt missed the target for Charlton before Dean Lewington and Nicky Maynard failed to test Stephen Henderson as a quiet first half came to a close.

Maynard led the MK Dons attack in the second half, testing Henderson in the 47th and 52nd minutes.

Then, Carruthers created a chance for Bowditch to add his second goal of the match, but the former Ipswich Town man hit the post from nine yards.

Carruthers nearly scored himself just three minutes later but his shot was plucked out of the air by Henderson.

Reza Ghoochannejhad was taken off in the 65th minute, shortly after coming close when his long-range shot was saved in the bottom left corner.

Watt then had another chance to level but in-form David Martin kept the shot out.

There were a few nervous moments for MK Dons in the closing stages. First, Patrick Bauer's header was blocked before Karlan Ahearne-Grant sent a free kick over the crossbar.

Diego Poyet and Simon Church had chances to put the result beyond doubt but shot wide in stoppage time.