MK Dons manager Mike Williamson felt his side’s “athleticism” and technique was to the fore in their 3-0 victory over Carlisle United.

Williamson’s team ended a three-game losing start to 2024/25 by sweeping the Blues aside at Stadium MK.

Goals from Callum Hendry, Alex Gilbey and a third which was credited to both Joe Tomlinson and Ellis Harrison earned the home side a convincing victory against a sub-standard United.

Williamson expressed his relief that MK, who are among the bookies’ promotion favourites, got the better of the Blues.

“It's relieving,” said Williamson, speaking  via the MK Citizen.

““I'm really pleased for the boys. I know we've talked about controlling the controllables, but I'm as pleased for the boys as I am the fans.

“I feel we got our rewards today, which we didn't in the first two games.

“We've got to keep doing what we're doing. We lose a bit of concentration in periods and it shows, [Carlisle] got on top in small patches.

“But everyone was brilliant to a man, the subs made impacts and it was a real squad performance.”

MK Dons wrapped up victory with a late third goalMK Dons wrapped up victory with a late third goal (Image: Richard Parkes)

Williamson said his side were rewarded for their persistence as they eventually got in front.

“We had to be patient in the first half, the windows have to be right, but [we] always concentrated to break their back line,” added the boss of last season’s play-off semi-finalists, who had been beaten by Bradford City, Watford and Colchester United in league and Carabao Cup before the Cumbrians’ visit on Saturday.

“We did that well.

“We knew they'd step on in the second half, but we have to hurt teams in different ways when they change.

“We’ve got athleticism, we've got runners and we've got technical players, so we have to make sure we keep concentrated and continue to probe.”