MK Dons Under 18s survived a second-half fightback from Coventry Sphinx, as substitute Michael O'Hanlon's stunning late winner booked them a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup.

O'Hanlon curled home a terrific 20-yard effort with 10 minutes to play to take the sting out of a Sphinx side that had recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit to haul themselves level.

The Dons had been cruising up to the break - well-taken goals from Justin Dowling and Daniel Powell putting them firmly in the driving seat at Sphinx Drive.

But two goals in as many second-half minutes from the Sphinx looked to be sending the game to extra time - Declan Doherty converting a penalty after David King's push on Dave Freeman and Freeman himself heading in substitute Paul Green's free-kick.

A near-200 crowd sensed a cup upset, but O'Hanlon pulled a rabbit out of the hat to put Mike Dove's lads through.

The game never looked likely to produce such a finale during a first half the Dons dominated. The visitors were sharper in possession, their movement was better and in Powell they had a constant threat.

George Williams gives a Sphinx defender the slip.

Sphinx just couldn't contain the big Dons forward and after a few marauding runs down the flank, his sheer presence brought about the opening goal on 15 minutes.

Martel Powell lifted a clever ball out to the roaming Dowling on the left flank and as the home defence turned their attention to Daniel Powell inside the area, Dowling worked his way inside neatly before firing inside the far post.

Powell doubled the lead himself seven minutes later when he bulldozed his way through four Sphinx challenges before curling a right-footed shot inside the far post from just inside the box.

It all looked a little comfortable for the visitors as they outclassed their non-league opponents in the first period with an impressive, professional display, but a response would come in the second.

Sphinx were quicker into the tackle after the break, forcing the game to be played at a somewhat frantic pace the young Dons were dealing with admirably, if not with the control they displayed in the first half.

Then when King was penalised for a push on Freeman after a throw-in from the left flank, Doherty gave the home side hope with a calmly-taken spot-kick with 15 minutes to go.

Troy Farden takes on the Sphinx defence.

With their tails up and the Dons looking slightly disorganised after the goal, Sphinx quickly drew level from a set-piece moments later.

Green delivered an inswinging ball from the right and as Dons defenders failed to pick up their markers, Freeman stooped to head past Kurt Fox from eight yards.

Hurried into a frantic period of the game, the Dons could easily have buckled under the home side's momentum, but they showed great authority to wrestle back the initiative four minutes later.

Adam Chicksen's corner from the right swung deep to the far post and Powell somehow saw his close-range effort cleared off the line.

The loose ball broke O'Hanlon's way on the left corner of the penalty area and, with bodies flying in front of him, the youngster showed great poise to bend a right-footed shot inside the far post to win it.

Dons (4-4-2): Fox, Williams, King, Flanagan, Chicksen, Carter (O'Hanlon 70), M.Powell, Dowling, D.Powell, Delderfield, Farden.

Subs not used: Harrison, Coronado, Baldock, Browne.