League Two strugglers MK Dons have appointed former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson as new manager just a fortnight ahead of travelling to Reading in the FA Cup.

Sitting 16th in the fourth tier, Graham Alexander was relieved of his duties after just 16 matches following a 2-2 draw with Barrow.

Williamson, still only 39, was in charge of Gateshead for four years and took them to the National League North title last year.

Currently sitting sixth in the fifth tier, the former centre-back has a 47 per cent win ratio in his short career as manager.

"It's been a quick turnaround and it was a tough decision to leave Gateshead but when a club like this comes in, it's a no brainer," he told the MK Dons website.

"We have a talented squad, with strength in depth, and we'll come in and start getting to know the group.

"They've got to trust us and buy into what we stand for - we have a lot of ideas that we want to implement, but it will be one thing at a time. It is going to be an evolution."

MK Dons visit Berkshire on Saturday, November 4 in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup.