Academy director Mike Dove was delighted with the performance of Sam Baldock, after the striker's first academy appearance for nearly two months.

Baldock had been out injured since picking up an ankle injury in the academy game against Birmingham at the beginning of December but returned with a goal in the 3-1 defeat.

Baldock, 17, was given the final 25 minutes with the Dons trailing 2-0 and made an instant impact. He gave the Leicester defence all sorts of problems with his pace and trickery and pulled a goal back with six minutes to go with a fine finish with the outside of his right foot.

Mike Dove said: "It was great to be able to bring Sam on for that final part of the game - he was bright as a button as soon as he got on the pitch and showed fantastic energy.

"Sam is the out-and-out striker we have been missing. Young Daniel Powell has done superbly for us recently but he is only 15 and the other lads we have played up there are not strikers.

"I'm really pleased to have Sam back because he is a very, very good player."

The young Dons made an excellent start to the game against a Leicester side that have destroyed everything in their path so far this season. Positive from the outset, the Dons made every attempt to get bodies forward and after Sam Collins had been unable to pick anyone out from the left when well supported, Powell missed a good chance on the turn.

Leicester saw a couple of crosses go unconverted before Dean Lovegrove fired over the bar from 25-yards but a goalless half-time scoreline was always the likely outcome.

"I think it was fair at half-time," Dove said, "we made a really bright start and played at a very good tempo so I was pleased at the break.

"Both sides were playing a fairly direct game and we had won a lot of headers at the back. What we needed to work on was winning the second ball in midfield then show a bit of composure in playing the ball forward."

Four minutes into the second half and Leicester took the lead when Dons 'keeper Laurie Walker parried a free-kick and Leicester's Andy King slammed home the rebound.

It was a disappointing start but the Dons defence were caught out again five minutes later. A long ball over the top for Foxes striker Billy McKay to chase was met by appeals for offside by the Dons backline. The flag stayed down and McKay took advantage to slot past Walker and make it two.

Baldock's introduction on 65 minutes changed the Dons fortunes and they instantly started to threaten, Tom Battams hitting the post from Lovegrove's cross.

Baldock's strike was followed by further chances to level the game but none were to be taken by the Dons youngsters and as they pushed for the elusive goal the counter attack became an increasing threat.

Max Gradel escaped onto a long through-ball from the Foxes defence and beat Walker comfortably to wrap up the win late on.

"The whole team did very well in the first half," Dove added, "but if you do not take your chances in a game it will come back to haunt you.

"Leicester are a very good side and are averaging around four goals per game this season so to get in at 0-0 at half-time was excellent.

"These games are there for them to learn from so as long as they keep doing that they are getting something from it."

Dons: Walker, Kent, Murphy, Page, Collins, Lovegrove, Battams, Kelly, Mitchell-Coop (Baldock 65), Powell (Wilson 77), Thorne. Sub not used: Nelson