Academy Director Mike Dove confessed his disappointment with the latest performance from his Under-18 side, who went down to a 3-1 defeat at Birmingham City at the weekend.
A nightmare opening 25-minute spell saw a strong Blues side run away with proceedings, scoring three times to take the game away from the visitors before things had truly got started.
Charlie Collins capped an improve second-half performance with a stunning strike to pull a goal back, but it proved scant consolation as Mike's side slipped to a third consecutive defeat.
After showing signs of genuine development in recent weeks, this was a lacklustre display from the young Dons, particularly in the first half, and Mike was quick to set things straight.
He said: "I've talked about how well the players are coming along in recent weeks, about how the challenges they've been set have been helping them to progress, but Saturday's application was below what I expect of them.
"Birmingham were a big, strong side with some good players, but they weren't at a different level to us, player for player I didn't think we were lacking.
"But they were up for it, they wanted it more and they deserved their win. We didn't show enough desire to get ourselves into the game, to impose our own qualities into it or to compete.
"I told them all how disappointed I was. This is the level, this is what they're up against if they want to get into the professional game and we didn't do enough on Saturday."
Birmingham seized the initiative after just six minutes when a ball clipped into the inside right channel was expertly controlled and dispatched by an on-rushing midfielder.
The Dons responded with a shot from Daniel Powell that was easily saved, but on 23 minutes they were two down - George Williams' clearance charged down and 'keeper Ashley Harrison beaten in the one-against-one.
Birmingham's front-men combined to tap in an easy third to leave the Dons reeling and even when they were awarded a penalty for a push on Collins, Daniel Powell saw his spot-kick saved.
Harrison was forced into a smart save early in the second half, but the Dons showed vast improvement after the break and Powell again went close after a mazy dribble on the edge of the box.
Their improvement was rewarded with 10 minutes to go when Collins turned smartly before curling a left-foot shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
Dons: Harrison, Williams, King, Milton, Chicksen, Coronado (G. Baldock 46), Dowling (McGovern 61), Lee, M. Powell, Collins, D. Powell (Browne 78).
Subs not used: Glass, Ahmed.
