A very young MK Dons reserve team put in a determined display at the New Recreation Ground, but found a experienced Grays team too strong for them as they went down to a 5-1 defeat.

The Dons got off to the worst possible start, going behind in just over a minute when Danny Kedwell got on the end of a free kick launched into the box to slam the ball home from 10 yards.

David Graham scored a splendid goal for the Dons reserves at Grays.

After David King had then made a fine clearance off the line the hosts doubled their lead on 10 minutes, Santos Gaia slotting in at the far post after good work on the right, and with the young Dons struggling to put together anything it looked like a difficult night was ahead for Mike Dove's team.

A superb left-footed hooked volley from 25 yards by striker David Graham pulled a goal back on 17 minutes though, and that strike gave the Dons the confidence to start putting together a series of neat passing moves.

Liam Kelly looks to put the Dons on the front foot.

Stephane Koffi cut inside from the left to blast over, and Graham then put an effort wide, but a clumsy challenge by King led to Kedwell netting from the resulting penalty to restore the home team's two-goal lead seven minutes before the break.

The second half began with 10 minutes of sustained home pressure, Kedwell heading over from close range and Dons keeper Kurt Fox twice doing well to stop fierce strikes.

Charlie Barnett in action for the Dons reserves.

Sam Collins then struck a long range shot just wide for the visitors, but Grays substitute Toran Senghore ran through to make it four on the hour.

Kedwell then completed his hat-trick on 73 minutes when he took advantage of some weak defending to slot past the advancing Fox.

Dons: Fox, King, Collins, Barnett, Thorne (Flanagan 74), Delderfield, Powell (Ashraf 46), Kelly, Graham, Shuter (Chicksen 69), Koffi.

Sub not used: Heald