 For the first time in a while, Stirling became a first team regular and notched up 28 appearances for United, but when his manager was sacked midway through the season, Stirling was loaned out to Milton Keynes Dons where he remained until the end of the 2006–07 season.Stirling was signed by Paul Ince at the start of the 2007–08 campaign, and became an instant hit with the promotion chasing League Two side.During MK Dons' League Two triumph of 2007–08, he was occasionally experimented as a striker, and gained popularity amongst Dons fans for his versatility, sheer effort and very long throw ins.