MK Dons fell just short of a second Wembley appearance in three years as Paul Ince's patched-up side were beaten by Southampton in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg at stadiummk and without a host of first team personnel due to injury, suspension and ineligibility, the Dons put up a brave fight against Alan Pardew's expensively-assembled Saints side.

But after falling three behind in the tie after Rickie Lambert's opener and an unfortunate own goal from Danny Woodards inside the first half-hour, their task became increasingly difficult as the night went on.

They did pull a goal back just before half-time - on-loan Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall forcing home after good work from Dean Morgan.

But as Ince's side chased the tie late-on, Adam Lallana's late goal rubber stamped the Saints' passage to next month's Wembley Final.

Jude Stirling battles with Michail Antonio.

Left down to the bare bones, Ince's plight was summed up perfectly by the naming of 40-year-old first team coach Alex Rae among the substitutes - an emergency registration should the Dons' need by dire during the campaign.

It was in central defence where the Dons were most lacking personnel - David McCracken, Mathias Doumbe, Sean O'Hanlon and Darren Powell all missing through injury, meaning a make-shift combination of Jude Stirling and Woodards at the heart of the back four.

Southampton sought to seize on the unfamiliarity of a Dons rearguard lacking in match time together and, willed on by the deafening support of 29,000 home supporters, piled on early pressure.

Aaron Wilbraham holds off Saints defender Jose Fonte.

Papa Waigo N'Diaye, a striker on loan from Fiorentina caused the first problem on 10 minutes, escaping the attention of Woodards down the left and producing a dangerous low cross Dean Lewington was rushed into clearing.

And on the quarter-hour, the Saints got the early goal their home supporters craved. Lallana's weak cross from the left looked to have been cut out by Stirling, by Papa Waigo nipped in front of him, laying into the path of the arriving Lambert to slot confidently from 10 yards.

It was met with wild celebrations from Saints fans all around, convinced it was the potential hammer blow that would send their side to Wembley. If it wasn't, what followed on the half-hour probably was.

Michail Antonio, Saints' hero from the first leg, charged into Dons territory as Lewington gave chase, but looked to have pushed the ball too far into the box as Willy Gueret raced from his goal.

Stephen Gleeson and Jude Stirling look on as Southampton celebrate their second goal.

He certainly had, as Luke Howell came across to make a routine clearance, but succeeded only in smashing the ball into the back of the unknowing Woodards, whose ricochet cannoned into the unguarded net.

A crumb of comfort had been offered the Dons between the two goals - controlled spells of possession drawing more than a hint of frustration from the home fans - but they had to make the most of time in Saints territory.

Morgan, playing up front in place of the suspended Jermaine Easter, had curled an effort just over the crossbar on 22 minutes and when Randall's corner found the head of Woodards on 41, only an additional touch prevented the visitors pulling a goal back.

That goal, and subsequent hope for the remainder of the game, would come just a minute before the break, when Morgan's cross from the left was poorly cleared and Randall eventually forced the ball home from close range.

Mark Randall forces Dons back into the game.

Southampton's dilemma was obvious at the start of the second half - push for a potentially-clinching third goal or hold onto the advantage they had, safe in the knowledge the Dons still needed two more to force penalties.

They looked set on the second option as Antonio understandably took his time over any throw-in inside Dons territory, while the industrious pairing of Dean Hammond and Morgan Schneiderlin sought to snuff out Dons' moves from midfield.

Luke Chadwick smashed into a crowd of bodies after a Peter Leven corner had been partially cleared, while Leven worked Kelvin Davis with a decent 30-yard free-kick with 15 minutes to go.

But having lost Woodards to injury at the break, the Dons were truly patched up and struggling to find the platform to build the flowing moves they have become renowned for.

First team coach Alex Rae was brought into the fold late in the game.

Southampton became increasingly withdrawn as they sought to hold onto their hard-earned lead, breaking up Dons attacks as they reached the final third and never truly being stretched out of their comfort zone.

Wayne Thomas and Aaron Wilbraham were both booked as tempers started to fray towards the end of the game - Wilbraham for kicking the back of Lallana as they contested a ball in the air.

But Lallana would have the last laugh, smashing home the loose ball with two minutes remaining after Lambert's surprise free-kick from wide on the left had been pushed onto the post by Gueret.

Southampton (4-4-2): Davis; Thomas (James 90), Fonte, Jaidi, Harding; Antonio, Schneiderlin (Wooton 79), Hammond (c), Lallana; Papa Waigo, Lambert.

Subs not used: Bialkowski, Holmes, Mills.

Goals: Lambert 15, Woodards (og) 30, Lallana 88

Booked: Thomas

MK Dons (4-4-2): Gueret; Howell (Rae 80), Woodards (Davis 46), Stirling, Lewington (c); Chadwick, Randall (Gobern 57), Gleeson, Leven; Wilbraham, Morgan.

Subs not used: Carrington, Flanagan

Goals: Randall 44

Booked: Wilbraham.

Attendance: 29,901 (447 away)

Referee: Grant Hegley