An inexperienced MK Dons reserve side were given a lesson in Championship-level football as star-studded Ipswich handed them a 12-1 defeat on Monday.

Mike Dove's primarily young squad were put through the mill by the Tractor Boys, whose class and movement was just too much for the visitors

With Ipswich fielding the likes of Fabian Wilnis, Richard Naylor and Dan Harding and the Dons having to cope with just two players over the age of 18, the game was always going to prove an almighty challenge.

But in the first half at Playford Road, it became clear just how much of a challenge it would be as the Tractor Boys, and striker Jordan Rhodes in particular, ran riot.

Rhodes hit four of his team's eight in the first period as the shell-shocked Dons tried desperately to contain Ipswich's slick passing and movement.

But having hit the woodwork twice through trialist Shaun Newton, the Dons came out much improved and were rewarded with a goal from trialist Reis Ashraf in the second period.

Mike described the game as a steep learning curve for the Club's young players but said it was important the scoreline was put into perspective.

He said: "In fairness I think our first team would have had a serious game on against the side we played today.

"Players like Wilnis and Naylor are top quality Championship footballers and to see their one and two-touch, their movement, the way they stretched us - it was frightening at times.

"At half-time we spoke about what we could do to combat their movement because we just weren't experienced enough to deal with it.

"We came out in the second half and played some good football at times and we had some decent spells.

"But when they came forward they were ruthless, every time they got the ball it turned into a chance.

"This is the reality of life at this level. As a club striving to reach the Championship, it shows the young lads the standard that is going to be required.

"It's a really tough result for us to take but the lads have had first-hand experience of football at Championship level and it will be interesting to see how they react.

"They've had two wins since coming back in the New Year and it's important they don't get too demoralised by this."

MK Dons: Walker, Mitchell-Coop, Thorne, King, Collins, Newton, Delderfield, Kelly, Simmonds, Baldock, Koffi.

Subs: Powell, Chicksen, Flanagan, Ashraf