MK Dons' 4-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday mathematically confirmed their relegation to Sky Bet League One.

 

A goal from Nicky Maynard was not enough as Brentford comfortably defeated the Dons, replying with goals from Sergi Canos, Lasse Vibe, Ryan Woods and Jake Bidwell.

The result left Karl Robinson's side on 39 points and, with only two games left to go, they are too far behind Fulham in 21st to avoid relegation.

Their maiden season in the Championship was a relegation battle throughout and, at one point, it looked as if they would stay ahead of the then-troubled Rotherham United when they went nearly ten points ahead of the South Yorkshire club.

However, while Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers never threatened them, Fulham and Rotherham began to pick up form, which all but condemned the Dons to League One.

Draws with Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End gave them vital points, but these results were not enough for Robinson's men.

As for Brentford, their run of good form is coming too late in the day to make a late push for the play-offs, but considering a month ago they were languishing towards the wrong end of the table, this is encouraging form.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Rafie Thompson identifies THREE things that we learned from MK Dons' heavy defeat to Brentford...

1) Relegation for the Dons

They have given it their best shot, but MK Dons have failed to stay in the Championship at the first time of asking.

They can take plenty of positives from the campaign and it was a big learning curve for many of the players who are used to the quality of League One. Robinson's men had a great start to the season but, in the months of September and October, their form dipped sharply, resulting in six straight losses around that time.

The Dons have also failed to rise to the threat of relegation in recent months.

They are currently on a run of nine matches without a win and, for them to have had any chance of staying up, they would have had to win all of their remaining games.

As it stands, the Dons shouldn't be hit too hard by relegation, and there is every possibility that they will be back in the Championship soon.

2) Building blocks for Brentford

Brentford are on a six game unbeaten run at the moment and, after a patchy start to 2016, they are finally getting back into form.

While it is too late in the day for this run of form to mean much, it is still positive, as Dean Smith can use these past six games to build for next season. They have only kept one clean sheet in this period, but they have been scoring plenty of goals, even without one of the players of the season in Alan Judge.

Brentford can aim for the play-offs next year, and a good run at the end of the season like this will go a long way in shaping the tactics of the next campaign.

3) Karl Robinson hinting at big changes next season

Robinson's post match comments were filled with frustration, and he stated that "certain people will not be here next season" to the press.

The Dons have failed to rise to the relegation challenge, and it was clear after the match that Robinson was not happy with his players' efforts.

The likes of Anthony Kay and Alex Revell have not been pulling their weight in recent matches, and we could well see a very different squad next season at Stadium:MK.

MK Dons and Brentford fans... what did you make of the game? Dons fans, do you think you can return to the Championship next season? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!