MK Dons succumbed to a 4-1 defeat against an impressive Sheffield Wednesday side in their second friendly of pre-season.

Brian Laws' side recovered superbly after Dons trialist Florian Sturm had given the home side an early lead at stadiummk.

First-half strikes from Ettiene Esajas and Deon Burton (2), plus a fourth after the break from substitute Jermaine Johnson secured a win for the Owls, though there were positive elements from the Dons performance.

None more so than the first half performance of Sturm, who showed flashes of real quality before being substituted at the break and did his chances of earning a contract no harm at all.

There was more impressive match time for new signing Peter Leven while Mark Wright also made his first appearance of pre-season.

Sam Baldock proved an early handful for the Wednesday defence.

Dons caught Wednesday cold in the opening exchanges, stringing some fine passages together - Leven in particular making good ground through midfield.

Sam Baldock managed to wriggle free of marker Lee Beevers to lash a shot past the near post in the very first minute, but Sturm went one better in the fourth.

Aaron Wilbraham showed typical steel to earn some space in the penalty area and provided a perfectly-weighted pass for the Austrian arriving just inside him.

Wednesday were sleeping and Sturm made them pay with a clinical left footed finish into the far corner.

Trialist Florian Sturm fires the Dons in front with a fine opening goal.

Albeit early, it was a goal the Dons positive start deserved and had Jemal Johnson made further progress into the box after roasting his marker on the right touchline it might have got better.

But a lapse in concentration from the entire defence saw the home side pulled back, as everyone failed to notice a quick Wednesday free-kick 30 yards out.

Esajas took full advantage, driving the ball past Abbey from 30 yards before the Dons 'keeper could set his feet.

The goal would signal a strong comeback from the Championship side, but not before the Dons twice went close. First Johnson saw his effort brilliantly pushed round the post by Owls 'keeper Lee Grant after Wilbraham and Baldock had combined to tee him up, and then Dean Lewington rattled the woodwork from the edge of the box moments later.

Jude Stirling battles with Deon Burton.

The visitors were far more ruthless with two goals in as many minutes - both crafted by Sodje and both scored by Burton.

The first was brilliantly simple - James O'Connor's ball into the inside right channel finding Sodje and his low cross tapped in by Burton - but the second a minute later was somewhat controversial.

Sodje looked half a yard offside as he raced clear into the Dons half but the assistant's flag stayed down. Burton was screeching forward in support and Sodje provided him with an even easier chance than the first one.

As if to underline their strength in depth, Wednesday introduced Jamaican international Johnson at the break, who extended the visitors' lead with his first meaningful contribution.

Picking the ball up half way inside the Dons half, the former Bolton hitman evaded four Dons defenders on his way into the box before finishing confidently past Abbey.

Alan Navarro holds off James O'Connor.

Despite the scoreline, the Dons were not exactly overrun with Wednesday attacks, though the quality of the visitors' passing made them a continued threat.

Carl Regan lashed a shot from distance wide before the hour mark but it was substitute Craig Dobson who had the best chance to pull a goal back.

Capitalising on a defensive mix-up, the former Stevenage man found himself clean through but unable to get the ball out of his feet. He pulled the trigger from the edge of the box but his shot was comfortably wide.

The crowd provided some fantastic encouragement for the Dons as time wore down and the team clearly responded, playing free of any pressure and eager to give the fans something to cheer about.

Wright fired wide at the end of a decent passing move before Dobson fired over in the closing minutes, by which time Wednesday had changed their entire starting eleven.

As ever, the result wasn't of great significance, though there will be plenty of food for thought ahead of next Wednesday's final friendly against Watford.

MK Dons: Abbey, Regan (Howell 71), Stirling (Trialist 46), O'Hanlon (c), Lewington, Johnson (Wright 63), Navarro (King 71), Leven, Sturm (Chicksen 46), Wilbraham (Sari 46), Baldock (Dobson 63).

Subs not used: Fox

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant (O'Donnell 81), Hinds (Lakaj 75), Wood (c), Beevers, Spurr (Gilbert 60), McAllister (McMenamin 75), Watson (Boden 60), O'Connor, Esajas (Johnson 46), Burton (Clarke 60), Sodje (Tudgay 46).

Subs not used: O'Donnell.

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)

Attendance: 3,510 (810 away)