Leyton Orient slumped back into the League One relegation zone after being thrashed 6-1 at MK Dons this afternoon.

MK Dons struck twice in the space of a couple of minutes in the first half as goals from Dean Bowditch and Rob Hall put them in control.

A penalty by Will Grigg effectively sealed the win before Hall fired home the fourth in a disastrous half for the O’s.

Hall completed his hat-trick which made it 5-0 in the second half before Jay Simpson scored a consolation goal for Orient.

There was still time for Dele Alli to score a superb sixth goal for MK Dons to leave Orient facing relegation with just three games remaining.

Simpson made his first start under Fabio Liverani. The striker had not featured from the start since the defeat at Gillingham in November but replaced Darius Henderson after he was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

Lloyd James, Jake Taylor and Shane Lowry also came into the side in place of Josh Wright, Ryan Hedges and Andrea Dossena.

The hosts had an opportunity in the opening minute through Hall but his shot was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

Mk Dons fired in another effort through Kyle McFadzean but Cisak parried his shot.

The promotion challengers opened the scoring after 22 minutes when Grigg’s cross was side-footed home by Bowditch.

Within minutes it was 2-0 when Hall managed to tuck the ball into the net.

It got even worse for Fabio Liverani’s side as Dele Alli was fouled in the penalty area and Grigg smashed home the penalty to make it 3-0.

MK Dons were running riot and it did not take long for them to add a fourth goal through Hall’s pinpoint finish.

Liverani made a change at the break, to try to salvage some pride, as Shaun Batt replaced Taylor.

The O’s almost pulled one back at the start of the second but Jobi McAnuff’s shot was parried and the follow up from Batt was also held by David Martin.

Hall completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark with a low strike past Cisak.

Orient made their second substitution with striker Gianvito Plasmati brought on for Chris Dagnall.

The visitors grabbed a consolation goal when Batt released Simpson and the striker cut inside before unleashing a powerful strike into the top corner of the net.

Hedges was given the final 20 minutes as a substitute in place of McAnuff.

MK Dons almost added a sixth goal through Lewis Baker but his crisp strike rebounded off the post.

But the rampant hosts soon added another goal in the 81st minute when midfielder Alli curled a strike into the corner of the net.

It should have been seven but Baker was unlucky to see his late strike crash off the woodwork. 

It was a horrible afternoon for Liverani's side as Orient suffered their heaviest defeat of the season to leave them heading for relegation unless they can produce a remarkable turnaround over the next fortnight. 

MK Dons: Martin; Lewington, Kay, McFadzean, Spence; Baker, Alli, Potter (Cole, 64), Hall; Bowditch (C Baker, 78), Grigg (Hitchcock, 64)

Subs not used: Burns, Hodson, Green, Powell

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Lowry, Clarke, Baudry, Cuthbert; McAnuff (Hedges, 70), Bartley, James, Taylor (Batt, HT); Simpson, Dagnall (Plasmati, 61)

Subs not used: Sargeant, Omozusi, Mooney, Wright

Referee: Christopher Kavanagh

Attendance: 10,137