Academy Director Mike Dove expressed his sense of pride after his Under 18's fought back bravely against league champions Leicester on Saturday.

Having gone three behind early on and ravaged by injury and suspension, Dove's team fought back to leave an immensely-talented Foxes side hanging on for a 4-3 win at Woughton.

Strikers Dan Powell (2) and the returning Sam Baldock were both on target in front of manager Paul Ince as a young Dons side put in one of their best performances for weeks.

Dove said: "They just flew at us from the off and we struggled to catch our breath, their two strikers were incredibly bright.

"Strangely enough, it was an injury to Charlie Shuter when he had to be replaced that allowed us to regroup.

"I told them take a breath, get themselves together and raise their game and from that point until half-time, we steadied things up and started to get on top."

Muss Carayol tested the Foxes 'keeper on 23 minutes but the home side got their reward just before half-time when Powell tapped in the rebound after Liam Kelly's header had been saved.

Five minutes after the break Leicester restored their three-goal lead but the resiliant Dons refused to lie down as they hit back twice in three minutes.

First Baldock raced onto a through ball to round the 'keeper and finish neatly on 72 before Powell seized on to a poor back pass and provided a cool finish on 75.

But despite a late penalty shout after a challenge on Stephane Koffi, Leicester hung on for the points.

Dove added: "I came away from the game buzzing, it was a very positive performance and a real learning day.

"Sam Baldock played a first 90 minutes in months and for Dan Powell to score twice was great for him.

"For the under-16 players it was fantastic experience and the whole team showed great character to come back into the game."

Dons: Walker, Mitchell-Coop, Flanagan, Delderfield, Chicksen, Carayol, Kelly, Shuter (Bailey 18), Koffi, D. Powell, Baldock.