Gary Ablett included six of his eight January signings as County looked to end their 15-game winless run against play-off chasing MK Dons.

Paul Huntington, as expected, came in for Michael Raynes at the back with George Donnelly chosen to lead the attack.

Johnny Mullins was also passed fit to lead out the team for the first time since his appointment as the Hatters' new skipper.

Dons included three former Hatters, Stephen Gleeson, Aaron Wilbraham and Jermaine Easter.

Goals from Count y old boys, Jermaine Easter and Aaron Wilbraham either side of half time gave Dons the edge at Edgeley Park.

And Andros Townsend wrapped up the points for the visitors with a third goal 16 minutes from time.

Things looked so bright, though, when County dominated the opening exchanges.

David Perkins set up an early chance for Donnelly who forced Willy Gueret into a diving save after just three minutes.

Three minutes later Huntington headed over Adam Griffin's superbly-flighted free kick.

The pressure paid off on 11 minutes with a goal of real quality. Greg Tansey hit a brilliant crossfield ball to Richie Partridge. The winger cut inside and squared the ball to Donnelly who looked up and expertly chipped the ball over Gueret for his first Football League goal.

County had a great opportunity to double their advantage on 20 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Donnelly went down under Danny Woodards' challenge and, although the referee initially didn't give it, his assistant did. Donnelly picked himself up and blasted the ball to Gueret's right but the keeper managed to get a hand on it and turned the ball onto the bar.

The Dons hadn't threatened, but they levelled on 23 minutes when Dean Lewington crossed from the right, Easter's first effort was blocked on the line by Danny Swailes but the striker followed up to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

County responded with another strong run from Donnelly who forced a fine save from Gueret with a powerful drive.

The visitors were causing problems at the other end, though and Wilbraham and then Easter wasted good opportunities.

And they should have taken the lead just before the break when Easter sprung the offside trap and rounded Fon Williams. The Welshman somehow recovered to dive back and turn the shot around the post.

The Hatters started the second half brightly and had two opportunities in the opening couple of minutes. Griffin headed Partridge's cross wide at the far post and then Tansey shot wide from a central position.

Then, on 55 minutes, they were denied a second penalty when Gueret appeared to pull down Perkins and, to rub salt in the wound, Dons scored from the counter attack. Mullins' slip gave possession to Wilbraham and the striker curled a trademark shot inside Fon Williams' left-hand post.

After Townsend's stunning third goal County had chances to grab a consolation. Substitute Danny Pilkington set up a chance for Griffin who shot over. And then he created an even better chance for Donnelly. After a run that left three defenders in his wake he pulled the ball back but Plymouth striker, who had run himself into the ground, couldn't muster the strength to beat Gueret from ten yards.