Jack Sanders marked his return to action by securing 1-0 win for MK Dons at Cheltenham.

The defender has endured a nightmare start at Dons after joining them from St Johnstone for £150,000 in January, spending four days on a drip in hospital with a kidney infection.

But he made it a triumphant return, meeting Joe White’s cross at the far post after a short corner routine and heading past Joe Day in the ninth minute.

It was enough to secure the Dons’ second win under interim boss Ben Gladwin.

His side had started strongly, with White firing an effort wide in the third minute and Joe Tomlinson’s shot blocked in the box.

After Sanders’ goal, Callum Hendry was denied by Ibrahim Bakare’s block.

Cheltenham’s first serious effort was a header from Matty Taylor after Jordan Thomas’ cross in the 18th minute which cleared the bar.

Dons keeper Connal Trueman made a double save to deny Taylor and Thomas after half an hour and Sam Stubbs saw a header kicked off the line before half-time.

Cheltenham rarely threatened to find a leveller in the second half and Day had to make a fine save to deny Laurence Maguire in the 89th minute to prevent the Dons doubling their lead.