IF proof was needed that Bury must act quickly in appointing a full-time manager - this was it.
The Shakers turned in a rudderless performance, but after a week spent with his hands tied in the transfer market, it was difficult to point the finger of blame at the man left fighting fires at Gigg Lane, Chris Brass.
With uncertainty over his own future at the club, the caretaker boss was unable to strengthen his side with anywhere near enough experience or quality in the transfer window to match an MK Dons outfit who look destined to be playing League One football next season.
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Mark Wright's hat-trick capped off a fine afternoon for Paul Ince's title-chasers but, in truth, they barely needed to pull out of third gear against a sloppy Bury team who are desperately seeking some stability.
Brass is evidently a man who wants the job but also cut a wounded figure after a result which could well scupper his chances of succeeding Chris Casper in the hotseat.
"We have gifted them five goals with defensive errors," he said. "You can accept one, maybe two, in a game - but five?
"You can't give the top-of-the-league team a head start - you don't stand a chance. It hurts me to the core and I hope to God that it hurts my players just as much."
And though he might not be the man selected for the post - Brass called for the Shakers board to make a decision soon, or risk being cut adrift with the struggling sides at the foot of League Two.
"We have to shake things up, we need to strengthen. It's about survival now, end of," he fumed. "Whatever decisions have to be made, need to be made.
"The management situation has been addressed, and we know what it means, but sadly today I think it shined out.
"It's now a case of being strong and brave enough to do that. It has got to be done sooner rather than later."
The Shakers had not conceded five goals in a home game since 1995, when Plymouth dished out a hammering that eventually cost Mike Walsh his job.
The humiliation began early on, as Dale Stephens' loose pass in midfield was seized upon by Wright and despatched, via the post, into the net from 25 yards.
On 22 minutes, Wright turned creator, brushing off Steve Haslam to square for Lloyd Dyer to tap home from close range. The game was as good as over before the break as Dyer's cross was cleverly flicked by Aaron Wilbraham under pressure from Paul Scott and finished with aplomb by Wright.
Bury keeper Jim Provett made an outstanding save to deny Jude Stirling after the break, while at the other end, Willy Gueret warmed his hands for the first time by palming away a stinging shot from Glynn Hurst.
Wright completed his hat-trick, poking in Wilbraham's cross before Alan Navarro followed suit to set-up Kevin Gallen for the fifth.
A good half of the sparse support at Gigg Lane would not have been there to see Hurst end a 15-game barren run by netting a late goal for the Shakers.
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