WATFORD U18 1 MK DONS U18 2

Mike Dove's Under-18s staged an impressive late fightback at Watford on Saturday to record their second successive win in the Premier Academy League.

Substitute George Baldock struck in the final minute of a finely-balanced contest to continue the Dons' impressive comeback from the winter break, following their 3-2 win at Spurs last week.

It had looked as though the Hornets would punish the young Dons for a lacklustre first-half performance when they took a deserved lead just before the interval.

But a much-improved second-half left Academy Director Mike satisfied that his team had learned some important lessons.

"We operated the same system as we did against Spurs and we started the game quite well, but I was becoming increasingly frustrated as it went on.

"We weren't taking care in possession and the support wasn't arriving quickly enough when we broke forward, which was integral to how we wanted to play.

"They were told in no uncertain terms at half-time that they needed to improve, stop diving into challenges and stop getting involved in the referee's decisions."

Mike Dove's Under-18s made it two wins in two games.

It certainly did the trick, as Mike's side emerged from the break with renewed vigour, passing the ball with far greater success.

Twelve-goal leading scorer Charlie Collins fired over just after the break before Adam Chicksen went close with a free-kick and David King fired wide.

And once Baldock was introduced in an attacking midfield role, the Dons made their pressure tell.

On 86 minutes, Chicksen's dangerous corner was whipped in brilliantly and skipper Tom Flanagan forced sufficient pressure for a defender to turn into his own net.

The wind in their sails and Watford waning, the Dons seized the initiative and went on to win it - Baldock pulling down another Chicksen free-kick inside the area before smartly slipping past his marker to finish.

"We deserved to win the second half," Mike said, "it was a far better performance after the break.

"I felt they were still living off the Spurs win in the first half, but they responded after our discussion at half-time and again showed they have the talent to win these games.

"It's been a good comeback after the Christmas period, we've won two games in a row now, and on Saturday we play Leicester who haven't lost a game yet.

"It'll be another test for the boys, but it's a game we're looking forward to."

Dons (4-3-3): Harrison; Williams, Flanagan (c), Milton, Chicksen; Farden, King (Baldock 80), Dowling; Coronado, M. Powell (McGovern 66), Collins.

Subs not used: Glass, Browne, Lee.