Notts suffered their first defeat of the season this season against afar superior MK Dons side.
The vast footballing ability of the home side was just too much for Notts to compete with.
Still without a win in their opening five league games, boss Steve Thompson will surely be feeling the pressure
This poor results comes after what seemed to be a positive night in store for the stripes.
Thommo put out a clear message that he wanted to win tonight's game with his team selection.
He made a few tactical changes from the side that drew at home against Morecambe on Saturday.
Jason Lee was welcomed back to the starting line-up to partner Lawrie Dudfield up top as County switched to a 4-4-2 formation.
Neil MacKenzie missed out allowing Jay Smith to revert to his preferred central midfield alongside top scorer Richard Butcher.
Andy Parkinson (right) and Paul Mayo (left) completed the County midfield. Or so we thought.
The back four remained un-changed with Kevin Pilkington back in goal after being rested in mid-week for the Johnstone Paint Trophy tie against Leyton Orient on Wednesday.
A quiet opening saw the ball pinging around in the air with neither side managing to take control of the game.
It was already apparent that instead of a desired 4-4-2, it was again a 4-3-3 formation Notts would adopt with Parky alongside the natural front two.
This made life difficult for County with the Dons winning the midfield battle from the off.
When the match did finally calm down, unsurprisingly it was
Early chances fell but Adam Tann saved Notts with a last ditch tackle on speedy Dons striker Leon Knight to keep the game at 0-0.
Knight latched on to what looked at first a hopeless ball from midfielder Navarro.
The pacey front man got beyond the last man but was dispossessed by Tann who just managed to prod the ball home to Kevin Pilkington who cleared his lines well, sliding to hoof from the box.
The first caution came just nine minutes in as Lawrie Dudfield was skipping down the left wing before being recklessly brought down by the beaten full-back Drissa Diallo.
The resulting free-kick drifted too far for Lee at the back post and the chance was gone.
The Dons then escaped a thirteenth minute embarrassment as centre half Sean O'Hanlon fell to the ground just before receiving a short pass from midfielder Keith Andrews.
His error allowed Dudfield to charge through into the box. His late cut back was intercepted by the then recovered O'Hanlon at the front post.
Pilkington produced his first save of the game shortly after saving well from Knight.
Dyer scurried down the wing before laying the ball inside to Knight who pushed the ball to the side of Tann but could only curl his shot into the arms of the keeper.
The Dons came close moments later as Jude Stirling shifted the ball onto his left foot after drifting in from the right wing. His fierce shot just evaded the
bottom corner with Pilko well beaten.
Controversy hit the MK Stadium on 17 minutes as Dons keeper escaped what should have been a straight 'red' for handling outside the area.
The referee completely bottled the decision giving yellow for Gueret's unforced offence.
From the resulting free-kick, Mayo blasted into the wall before Smith's looping re-bound went marginally wide.
Poor marking from the Magpies on 20 minutes was nearly the visitors undoing. A long throw from
County continued to ride their luck. After failing to close down opposition skipper Andrews, he fizzed a shot just wide of the post once more.
Lee then headed the travellers first effort on target in the 24th minute.
A deep Parkinson cross from the right was met by the striker but directed straight at the keeper.
On 25 minutes, tricky left midfielder Dyer glided past Canoville as if he wasn't there. His teasing cross missed by Pilkington and striker as Notts were again let off the hook.
The next chance again fell to the home side on 28 minutes. Andrews with time on the ball slid a pass through to Gallen. Hunt though at his cool best out-paced the veteran to mop up the situation with ease.
Navarro was next in the book eight minutes before the break. Smith pushed the ball easily past but was taken to the ground after a late lunge.
The game was sparked into life once more with Knight threaded in by a clever Andrews knock. Rushed by the advancing Tann, his tame shot was parried wide by Pilkington.
From the resulting corner the Dons deservedly grabbed a 43rd minute lead though. Andrews rose above Tann to meet Dyer's left-footed corner with a thunderous header.
1-0 and well worth their lead.
Notts could have been level just before the break. Canoville played in a left footed cross but an unmarked Mayo couldn't finish as the ball fell to his feet three yards out.
A poor touch meant a chance wasted.
Into stoppage time and Pilkington denied the home side doubling their lead pushing out another Dyer crack from the edge of the box.
At the interval, the Dons deserved leaders but County may feel aggrieved to still be playing eleven men after referee Jarnail Singh's decision to let a blatant handball go partially punished.
A small ripple of a 'boo' from the travelling Notts fans- but in truth the Dons were just too good. The Magpie's lucky to remain in the contest.
Half-time
Substitute: MK Dons (Jemal Johnson for Sean O'Hanlon, 45)
Neat passing from the Dons early into the second half maintained their control but a resolute County kept things tight. For the start of the half at least.
Substitute: Notts (Spencer Weir-Daley for Andy Parkinson, 58)
A sharp Weir-Daley brightened up Notts momentarily. He was buzzing around and picked out Smith with his first ball of the game.
Smith found Dudfield who advanced behind MK's defence but slow on the ball gave time for the home backline to re-group.
Knight then forced another top save from Pilkington on 61 minutes.
He kept the ball close to his feet after being played in by Johnson on the right hand side of the box, before unleashing a near post effort that was turned away.
It was Gueret a minute after who was called into action at the other end.
He went down low to gather Lee's left foot strike from 20 yards.
On 64, Knight nearly hit a spectacular second.
Again a long Striling throw causing problems for the Notts back line. The uneven bounce set up Knight whose over-head kick forced a finger tips save from the solid Pilko.
With the Dons on the war path, Dyer got in behind Canoville down the left yet again and squared to Gallen but Hunt was back just in time to cramp the forward for space.
MK did eventually add a second after their sustained spell of pressure.
Swailes stooped to meet a low in swinging Lewington corner.
The ball was travelling at pace but Pilkington will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post. 2-0
It had been coming but still a bitter pill for the Magpies to swallow on 67 minutes. Surely no way back now.
Substitute: MK Dons (Aaron Wilbraham for Kevin Gallen, 71)
The Dons continued to control the play. Straight into the action, Wilbraham backed in to Tann well laying the ball off for Johnson. His long range effort all too easy for Plkington though.
Notts went close on 74, Smith's dipping ball found Dudfield who headed wide under pressure from Swailes.
Just after, a chinking Johnson run was unlucky not to be rewarded with a third goal in the 77th minute.
Mayo couldn't catch the in coming winger as he dribbled inside. His left footed drive was just dragged wide.
Substitute: Notts (Matt Somner for Austin McCann, 80)
Referee Singh waved away a late penalty shout as Knight appeared to be wrestled to the deck by a determined Mayo.
Dons boss Ince erupted on the sidelines but to no avail as the man in the spotlight waved play on.
Action was taken seconds later as Butcher lunged in on Andrews who had frustrated the Magpies man all night long. Just a booking despite cries for
'red' from the crowd.
Substitute: Notts (Hector Sam for Lawrie Dudfield, 84)
And, it was three soon after Sam's arrival. Wilbraham un-marked at the back post headed into an empty net on 85 minutes. Lewington again provider as Pilkington came, flapped and missed. 3-0 an easy finish.
The rout was complete.
Notts played a few long aimless balls in the final stages but by this time the Magpie fans were already heading for home.
An awful night but at least County can say they were beaten by a very good side.
NCM Man of Match: Leon Knight (MK Dons)
Attendance: 7,977
The sides:
MK Dons: Gueret, Diallo, Navarro, O'Hanlon, Lewington,
Subs- Wilbraham, Murphy, Johnson, Abbey, Carayol.
Notts: Pilkington, Canoville, Tann, Hunt, McCann, Mayo, Butcher, Smith, Parkinson, Lee (C), Dudfield.
Subs- Silk, Sam, MacKenzie, Weir-Daley, Somner.