Gillingham’s weekend goalscorer Jonny Williams admitted to frustration as the goals they conceded at MK Dons went against their usual standards.

Williams scored his first of the season in stoppage-time at Stadium MK, as the Gills attempted to fight back from 3-0 down. They scored twice but ran out of time to get a crucial third.

Report: MK Dons 3 Gillingham 2

The Gills have had a proud defensive record in recent years but were vulnerable against an MK Dons side who ruthlessly exploited any weaknesses.

Sam Gale accidentally diverted the ball past his own keeper with a miscued clearance after just six minutes, and MK Dons scored a crucial second against the run of play after the break through dangerman Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, shortly after Robbie McKenzie failed to convert a chance for Gillingham.

Shad Ogie’s attempted pass to Williams was cut out by Liam Kelly, and he fed Mendez-Laing, who finished well past keeper Glenn Morris after creating space inside the box. MK scored a third soon after, as they broke on the visitors through Will Collar. His cross was turned in by Callum Paterson.

“It was very frustrating,” said the experienced midfielder.

“We've built an identity that we've been hard to beat and haven't conceded many goals.

“We pride ourselves on that as a platform, as a group, [defending] from the front, from the way we press as a team.

“It is tough. They had some real pace in behind and they probably exploited us through our own mistakes and got into good areas.

“They've also got Mendez-Laing, who could finish those opportunities. On another day, Cat (Glenn Morris) might save them, but they were ruthless.”

Seb Palmer-Houlden got the Gills back to 3-1 on 76 minutes and Williams finished well from Gale’s long ball forward in injury-time to give them a sniff. Goalkeeper Morris joined the attack for a corner at the death but an equalising goal eluded them.

Williams said: “They capitalised on a sloppy bit of play and MK Dons have players that could punish us.

“To go 3-0 down was hard but credit to the boys for fighting back.

“We gave ourselves a huge mountain to climb but even then, Cat was very close to heading in to maybe make it 3-3, which would have been unbelievable. The fans probably would have deserved that moment.

“We've scored a lot of goals in the second half. Maybe we can start scoring more in the first half and start a bit better, not waiting until we go behind. Getting the first goal is huge in these games.

“Credit to MK Dons. They're going to be around it, I think. They've got a good side, a good manager. We went head-to-head and possibly could have drawn and on another day won that game.”

Commenting on his first goal of the season, Williams said: “I probably don't go for many diags but it was a great pass from Sam. He gave me one before at 3-0 and I probably should have scored that one.

“That [earlier chance] was probably the easier one. We need to keep getting in those positions.

“It was great to hit the back of the net and give us a chance of getting something in the last two or three minutes. Hopefully I can add a few more.”

It’s back-to-back defeats for the Gills now but they remain well placed after a good start to the season.

Williams added: “We haven't really tasted many defeats for a long time. We've got to put a line under it, focus on what we did do well and do that as much as we can against Cheltenham next week and go and win that game.

“It's all about the next game now. We're still in a very good position.”

The Gills were without manager Gareth Ainsworth at Stadium MK, due to his heart surgery, and Williams praised assistant Richard Dobson who is holding the fort.

“Dobbo is brilliant,” said the former Welsh international

“He has huge respect of the players and has come in and done a fantastic job. We all love working with him.

“He's one of those people that when he speaks, everyone listens.

“It's been a pleasure to work with him. Hopefully we can have some good results for Dobbo.”

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