Under 18 coach Mike Dove was not the only man impressed with his side at Reading on Saturday, despite a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Royals.

Former Burnley, Leeds and Cardiff midfielder Brian Flynn - currently in charge of Wales youth teams including the Under 21 side - was another interested onlooker as the Dons put on a spirited display.

And Mike said praise from a man who won 66 caps for Wales in the 70s and 80s is high praise indeed.

He said: "As well as the performance from the team, that was the best bit of the afternoon for me.

"He sought me out to tell me he'd really enjoyed the game and was clearly enthused about the way we played. That, from someone of his standing the game, is a big compliment."

After starting the game brightly, Mike's team almost took the lead after just seven minutes when Delderfield rattled the Reading crossbar from 25 yards.

But despite an even opening period, the home side got their noses in front on 21 when 15-year-old George Williams diverted a cross into his own net.

It turned into a nightmare few minutes for the young Dons as the Royals struck two more in the following three minutes - a midfield runner stealing behind to make it two before another 15-year-old, Harry Milton, turned a cross from the left past his own 'keeper Kurt Fox.

Far from overwhelmed, Mike's team responded superbly with Powell hammering a fierce 20-yard drive into the top corner almost straight from the restart.

A somewhat less frantic but no less entertaining second half saw Reading regain their three-goal lead on 71 minutes before the Dons hit back once more.

A sharp piece of thinking from midfielder Justin Dowling saw him pick out Delderfield with a quick free-kick on 89 minutes, and the striker provided a cool finish.

"We showed great energy and commitment, even after going three behind in a mad five minutes," Mike said.

"The players were trying to do the right things with the ball and without it and we showed good creativity right up to the final minute.

"It would have been interesting to see what another 10 minutes might have brought but I was really enthused by the performance."

Dons (4-1-4-1): Fox; Williams, King (c), Flanagan, Milton; M. Powell; Farden (Agombar 80), Dowling, D. Powell, Carter; Delderfield.

Subs not used: Harrison, Collins, Browne, O'Hanlon.