A freak equalising goal denied MK Dons Under-18s an impressive victory at Cardiff City in their latest Premier Academy League outing.

Leading through Martel Powell's first-half opener, Mike Dove's youngsters were dealt a cruel blow when a Harry Milton clearance ricocheted lucklessly off Nathaniel Jarvis and over the helpless Ashley Harrison shortly after the hour-mark.

But despite not securing the win their efforts arguably deserved, Mike said he was pleased with aspects of the team's performance.

He said: "We produced some good moves throughout the game and were undoubtedly the more creative of the two teams.

"We just lacked a bit of composure in the final third, the maturity to deliver a killer pass or shot to make the most of our good approach play.

"Neil Ardley, their Under-18 coach, was very complimentary after the game and said we deserved to win it and the lads were disappointed that they didn't manage to do that."

With skipper Tom Flanagan back in the side following recent first team duty, it was an experienced Dons team that travelled to the Welsh capital, with first year pro David King also in the ranks.

They started brightly against their Championship opponents, with full-back Adam Chicksen and forward Charlie Collins both going close with free-kicks, before Powell fired from a well-worked short corner.

Mike Dove calls the shots with his under-18 side.

With more composure required in the middle of the park, Mike moved Mark Lee back into midfield and pushed Justin Dowling further forward in a reshuffle that brought immediate reward. Dowling fed Powell in shooting space and the talented second year found the net for his second goal of the season.

An excellent Flanagan challenge in his own box aside, the Dons had been relatively untroubled defensively, and that pattern looked set to continue when George Baldock and the increasingly impressive Powell went close early in the second half.

But when Milton's clearance smashed into the half-turned back of Jarvis on 66 minutes, Harrison was left helpless as the ball sailed over him.

Milton went close to regaining the lead from a Powell corner 10 minutes later and the Bluebirds survived a late penalty shout when Chicksen was upended in the box, but Mike's side were ultimately forced to settle for a point.

Mike added: "Martel played very well on Saturday, he played in the pocket of the front-three and it's a position that suits his ability well. I was pleased with George Baldock too, who has worked very hard of some aspects of his game and is showing real signs of improvement."

MK Dons (4-3-3): Harrison; Williams, Flanagan (c), Milton, Chicksen; Baldock, King, Dowling (Ahmed 74); Lee, M. Powell, Collins.

Subs not used: Bragg, Ivey-Ward.