Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo has heaped praise on the Club's Academy system after another youngster made a big impression in the first team ranks at the weekend.

At 17 years and 248 days, Daniel Powell became the MK Dons' youngster ever goalscorer on Saturday when he came off the bench to score the third in the 3-1 win at Hartlepool.

Powell joins Adam Chicksen and David King as current Academy players to have played for the first team this season as Di Matteo continues to give youth a chance.

That coupled with the emergence of striker Sam Baldock as a first team regular following his schooling at the Academy has left supporters impressed with the talent coming through at youth level.

And Di Matteo says credit must go to Mike Dove and all the staff working in the Academy setup.

He said: "I think Mike Dove and the Academy should be very proud of themselves because they're producing some good youngsters, we're just trying to develop them further.

"Mike and I work very closely, hopefully the players we are introducing will develop in the right way and give the Club a lift.

"They train with us twice a week when possible so that they get used to the rhythm and our training methods.

"Daniel's a strong boy, he's got pace and he's a good striker so I thought, while we were a man up and a goal up on Saturday, he'd be a threat.

"We're struggling with numbers at the moment so to have young players to call on is good for everyone."