MK DONS U18 2 DUNSTABLE TOWN U18 1

Charlie Collins scored both goals as MK Dons Under-18s moved into the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win over Dunstable Town at stadiummk.

A double from the Republic of Ireland Under-18 striker was enough to sink a spirited young Blues side, who looked capable of causing an upset during a lively first period, but were eventually overpowered by Mike Dove's team.

Collins looked to have punctured an energetic opening from the Bedfordshire-based visitors when he slotted a 21st minute penalty having been fouled by Blues 'keeper Takunda Marevesa.

But Dunstable hit back just four minutes later through Tom Dolan, who raced onto a ball over the top of the Dons defence to confidently beat Ashley Harrison.

Dons though, showed their quality after the break as their superior fitness eventually overcame their part-time opponents - Collins converting a Martel Powell pass for the winner shortly after the hour mark.

With skipper Adam Chicksen ruled out through illness, the young Dons were forced into a late reshuffle, with Under-16 Jordan Ivey-Ward coming into a makeshift defence also missing injured duo Harry Milton and Tom Flanagan.

Charlie Collins celebrates his second-half winner.

And, buoyed by an impressive travelling support, Dunstable sought to take advantage in the game's early exchanges.

Dolan could have had a hat-trick in the first eight minutes - two well-struck efforts blocked by the huge Harrison in the Dons goal sandwiching a dinked effort that George Williams desperately scrambled off the line.

But as Mike's side started impress their attractive passing style on the game, a fortunate deflection sent Collins clear and he was subsequently fouled on his way round Marevesa.

Dunstable protested, with some justification, that their goalkeeper had played the ball, but Collins showed no mercy from the spot, striking confidently home from 12 yards.

It could have been two moments later when Powell and George Baldock combined to send Collins in behind once more, but the young Irishman's clever chip drifted just past Marevesa's left-hand post.

Playing on the biggest stage many of them will have experienced before, Dunstable had hardly looked overawed in the first half and their courage was rewarded with their big moment on 25 minutes.

Dolan stole a march on full-back Liam McGovern as the ball was dropped into the inside right channel and strode to finish confidently before being mobbed by his delirious team-mates.

Marevesa saved smartly at the feet of Collins shortly before half-time as the Dons tried to close the period strongly.

But as the visitors started to tire on the draining stadiummk pitch, a Dons victory started to look increasingly likely.

Pushed into a more advanced role in the second half, Powell put Collins in the clear again shortly after the break only for the Dons striker to mishit his shot, before a Hayden Carter was denied by a last-ditch tackle as he bore down on goal.

Mark Lee is beaten to the ball by Dunstable 'keeper Takunda Marevesa.

And following a Williams header that was scrambled off the Dunstable line by substitute Kyren Brooks-Lynch, the breakthrough was clearly not far away.

Admittedly, it was a fortunate deflection that saw the ball break into Powell's path, but the way the talented youngster glided past Josh Edwards was pure class. Goalkeeper drawn, pass squared and Collins did the rest.

The Dons nearly managed to add some gloss to the scoreline as Powell, at his best with the game broken, came into his own.

The skilful Dons midfielder put substitute Awadh Ahmed in the clear, only for the 16-year-old winger to shoot over after rounding the 'keeper.

And fellow replacement Mark Lee drew a stoppage time block from Marevesa after twisting his marker on the counter-attack.

MK Dons (4-1-4-1): Harrison; Browne, Ivey-Ward (Walster 89), Williams, McGovern; M. Powell; Carter (Ahmed 56), G. Baldock, Dowling (Lee 77), Collins (c); Farden.

Subs not used: Glass, Gyasi.

Goals: Collins 22 (pen), 67.

Booked: Dowling, Ivey-Ward

Dunstable Town (4-4-2): Marevesa; Brogan (Brooks-Lynch 57), Osborne, Hitchcock (c), Doggett; Dolan (Walker 83), Morgan, Edwards, Bewley; Murphy (Connelly 75), Denton.

Subs not used: Wills

Goals: Dolan 25

Booked: Morgan, Hitchcock.

Referee: Jake Hillier