It had been a frenetic game throughout, played in wet and windy conditions, but with 81 minutes on the clock, Phillips hooked the ball back into the middle instead of clearing down the line.

Aaron Collins picked it up and clipped it to the back post for Nombe to nod home.

The blistering pace had started in the first half, which had seen five yellow cards but a lack of real clear-cut chances.

Headers proved Milton Keynes’ best opportunities, including a Jack Sanders effort that needed Tommy Setford to tip over the top.

Stevenage came closest, though, on the stroke of half-time. Ben Broggio fired through a crowd after a free-kick was only partially cleared to him.

The rebound flicked off Will Dennis before being sent goalwards by Josh Magennis, but the keeper had got back up though to claw the header away.

The Dons also hit the post in the second half through Ryan Wintle. However, after striking off the far post it spun across the line and came back out off the other upright.