The 2010-11 campaign delivered a vital step in the right direction for MK Dons as The Dons secured a 5th-place finish in League One, clinching a coveted play-off spot under the inspired guidance of the inexperienced manager Karl Robinson. Leading the charge was the rising star Sam Baldock, whose 12 league goals proved decisive in a season built on a mid-campaign tactical switch and the superb home form which secured their top-six finish. Though the campaign ended in heartbreak, losing the play-off semi-final 3-2 on aggregate to Peterborough United despite holding a 3-1 lead in the first leg, it marked the beginning of a new, ambitious era for the club that set the foundation for future success.