Huddersfield Town have moved a step closer to the final of the League One playoffs courtesy of a 2-0 victory at MK Dons this afternoon.
Both teams kept possession well during the opening exchanges without succeeding in calling either goalkeeper into any telling action.
The first chance was created in the 31st minute by the away side when Kallum Higginbotham's effort was pushed wide of the target by Dons goalkeeper David Martin.
However, just one minute later Martin was beaten. Lee Novak crossed from the left for Huddersfield's leading goalscorer Jordan Rhodes, who sent a headed effort beyond the reach of Martin to give his side the lead at the break.
Centre-back Dean Lewington had a chance to draw his side level two minutes after the restart, but he drove his shot straight at Ian Bennett in the away goal from six yards out.
Simon Grayson's Huddersfield continued to look threatening on the break and they went close to extending their advantage in the 66th minute. Rhodes played in strike partner Novak, but the 23-year-old dragged his effort wide of the target from 10 yards out.
Novak's miss did not prove significant though as the visitors managed to claim a second goal 17 minutes from time. Higginbotham pulled the ball back for full-back Jack Hunt, who cut inside his marker before sending the ball inside Martin's near post.
Jabo Ibehre almost halved the deficit for Dons in stoppage time, but Bennett was able to claw away his header.
The victory means that the Terriers are just 90 minutes away from Wembley. The teams will meet again at the Galpharm Stadium on Wednesday evening for the second leg.
Liam Apicella
