Academy Director Mike Dove was disappointed with his Under-18s' performance as they went down to a 3-0 home defeat against Southampton.

In blustery conditions on a difficult Woughton pitch, Mike's youngsters were outplayed in the first period and unable to revive themselves in the second as the Saints matched the victory of their first team at stadiummk.

Following a performance of genuine promise at Arsenal seven days previously, this was a setback for the young Dons as they failed to build on the positives of that performance in North London.

Mike said: "We were poor in the first half and didn't deserve to get anything from the opening 45 minutes. It wasn't a great game to watch, it was very scrappy against a strong and solid team, but we have no defence for our first-half performance.

"We'd played some of our best stuff all season at Arsenal the previous week, so to follow that up with a performance like this was disappointing."

Mike's team failed to get going in the early exchanges and Under-16 goalkeeper Louis Bragg had already seen his woodwork rattled with Saints took the lead from a well-struck 19-minute free-kick.

Mike Dove was disappointed with the Under-18s' performance against Southampton.

Struggling to escape their own half and unable to hold onto possession once they did, the Dons were soon two down when a defensive mix-up forced Bragg into a hurried clearance. His strike was charged down by a Southampton forward, who improvised brilliantly to acrobatically convert the high ball.

It took until the 44th minute for the Dons to register their first effort - Hayden Carter forcing a good save from the Saints goalkeeper.

A change of formation to 4-4-2 afforded the talented Martel Powell a more advanced attacking role as the Dons sought a way back into the game after half-time.

But with four minutes to go Southampton were home and dry as Tom Flanagan's short free-kick was intercepted, allowing a right-wing break that the visitors took full advantage of.

"We couldn't get out in the first half and we didn't show any composure to keep possession when we did manage to escape," said Mike.

"It's a result to forget about, but the lessons must be learned because the boys didn't perform well. The conditions were not easy, but we cannot use them as an excuse - we have to adapt better."

The Under-18s travel to Charlton next week before an away trip to Premier League Aston Villa on 3rd April.

Dons (4-3-3): Bragg; Williams, Flanagan (c), Milton, McGovern; Trialist (S. Powell 60), King, M. Powell; Coronado (F. Ahmed 82), Collins, Carter.

Subs not used: Harrison, Lee, Ivey-Ward.