But the Shots' resistance was broken in the 53rd minute when McDonald poked home Curtis Weston's cross.
McDonald grabbed his 14th goal of the season with a minute left when he buried Barry Fuller's cross into the roof of the net.
Debutant Alex Rodman managed to pull one back in stoppage time with a 25-yard strike but Dean Holdsworth tasted his first defeat as boss.
Source: PA
Source: PA