Under 18 manager Mike Dove said he was pleased with the half-time response of his young side despite a 2-1 pre-season defeat at Coventry.

The Dons side were caught cold in the first half as the razor-sharp Sky Blues struck twice, the first after just four minutes, to put themselves well in control.

But Mike's side, missing some experienced players who were on duty for the first team at Bedford Town, fought back bravely in the second period and came close to levelling the came after substitute Dan Powell's well-taken goal.

Mike said: "Coventry caught us on the hop early on, it was fast and furious and we never matched their tempo. Their movement was excellent and they were bright from the first whistle.

"The response in the second half was much better, we had the better of the game for a while and I think a draw would have been fair in the end.

Daniel Delderfield in action for the Dons U18s.

"The substitutes made an impact, Dan Powell in particular, and considering how young the side was and the number of trialists we had out, I was very pleased in the end."

Coventry took the lead with an early attack when a midfield player made an excellent run from deep to convert a defence-splitting pass past Laurie Walker.

An off-target shot from Charlie Shuter aside, the Dons were struggling to match the home side and they fell two behind on 34 minutes. A cross from the right was headed goalwards and, though Walker made an excellent initial save, the rebound fell to an unmarked forward who prodded home the loose ball.

"We had to contain them towards the end of the half so we didn't go further behind," said Mike. "At half-time we talked about matching their work on and off the ball. It wasn't the end of the world but we needed an improvement."

Powell replaced Stephane Koffi and was straight into the action, collecting David King's long pass and firing just wide of the right-hand upright.

Stephane Koffi went close with a late effort at Coventry.

The young striker was proving a handful already and, after going close just before, found the net on 65 minutes. Tom Ahmed's ball into him was controlled immaculately before Powell sent a composed finish into the net.

The goal gave Dove's side confidence and they found themselves on top. Powell again found shooting space with an excellent first touch but this time lacked the composure to finish.

Adam Chicksen was beginning to find Powell at will down the inside left channel, allowing him to cause further problems, and when Koffi returned to the fold in place of Ahmed, he hit a shot that was well saved towards the end.

"I told the players at the end that this is all part of learning," Mike added, "the pace that Coventry started the game at is what Academy football is all about. It's fast, it's frantic and if you can't match a team you have to frustrate them. We did that in the second half so it's another game the players have learnt from."

Dons: Walker, Mitchell-Coop, King, Flanagan, Chicksen, Williams, Nelson (Thomas 46), Shuter, Ahmed (Koffi 80), Koffi (Powell 46), Delderfield.