Assistant manager Karl Robinson is eyeing "the greatest night in MK Dons history" tonight as Paul Ince's side take on Southampton for a place at Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The Dons head to St Mary's trailing 1-0 from the first leg of their Southern Area Final, knowing that a win is essential if they're to have a chance of progressing to the competition's showpiece final.

stadiummk hosted one of its best ever atmospheres at this stage of the competition two years ago, when the Dons knocked out Championship-chasers Swansea in a nerve shredding penalty shootout. They went on to lift the Trophy by beating Grimsby in the final.

But this time the odds are stacked firmly against Ince's charges, who must overturn their first leg deficit without a host of first team regulars including David McCracken, Andros Townsend and top scorer Jermaine Easter.

And Robbo insists pulling off an upset in front of a 30,000 St Mary's sell-out would eclipse their achievement of reaching the final two years ago.

He said: "It's going to be a full house at a Premier League ground against a club with Premier League resources and it's a game we have to go and enjoy.

"We just hope we can come out the other side of it victorious and, if we do, it would arguably go down as the greatest victory in this Club's history.

"Under the circumstances, with the injuries we've got, it's not going to be easy, but what I can guarantee is that, whoever takes to the field for this Football Club, the players will never let us down as individuals.

Willy Gueret's save sends the Dons to Wembley in the 2008 Southern Area Final.

"It's a huge game and one we're really looking forward to because it's a chance to get to Wembley and Wembley is a very special place, regardless of the competition. It's a great opportunity for the players, against a great side with about £10 million's of talent on the pitch and a Premier League manager, so we're looking forward to it."

Ince's feelings after the first leg were that the Dons had shown Southampton too much respect during a first half in which the Saints took a priceless lead through Michail Antonio.

But Robbo reckons a performance similar to the one the Dons put up in the second half of that game, where they came close to levelling on several occasions, will give them a big chance on Tuesday.

He said: "We felt we showed them too much respect, but when we got the ball down and played our way we looked on par if not better than them.

"We've got to take confidence from that and have a real good go at them. Swansea came here a goal behind two years ago and got a result so hopefully we can do the same. Then, if it goes to penalties, we'll hope Willy Gueret's heroics can continue.

"If we were 1-0 up we might be a little more cautious, which they might be because they want to get to Wembley and they've got a big tie coming up at the weekend in the FA Cup.

"It's one we'll enjoy and a game where we want to be proud of our Football Club. We'll have a right good go at Southampton."

Tickets for tonight's game will be on sale from St Mary's Stadium on the night. Click here for prices and selling arrangements.