Kevin Gallen, Jordan Hadfield, Jake Livermore and Gareth Edds all got valuable match time despite the reserves going down to a 3-2 defeat to Southend at Woughton.

Gallen, Hadfield and Livermore each played over an hour of the Pontin's Holidays Combination fixture while Edds got a second 90 minutes under his belt as he continues his comeback from an ankle operation.

Goals from Livermore and substitute Daniel Powell looked to have put the Dons second string on course for victory after coming from behind.

But the Shrimpers bounced back almost instantly through defender Zoltan Liptak before Matt Harrold's second goal of the game secured the points.

It was a frustrating result for an experienced Dons side, but time on the pitch, particularly for Gallen, was the main objective for the afternoon.

The former QPR man only returned from a thigh injury with 20 minutes off the bench in Saturday's win over Dagenham and will have appreciated the chance to shake off any rustiness ahead of Friday's clash with Peterborough.

He almost marked the appearance with a goal as early as the eighth minute, though Charlie Barnett's cross always looked fractionally high, and showed some sublime touches to suggest experienced striker could be getting back to his best.

Nathan Abbey is helpless as Matt Harrold gives Southend the lead.

One flicked pass into the channel for Sam Baldock was frankly outrageous as Gallen looked to find his range, though Baldock himself should have already opened the scoring by then.

Barnett again made inroads to provide a cross from the right, but Baldock could only plant his header wide having risen unmarked six yards out.

But Southend had looked dangerous themselves at the other end, Dons 'keeper Nathan Abbey doing well to block at the feet of Charlie MacDonald early on as well as holding a shot from Lewis Hunt.

But he could do nothing about Harrold's opener on 19 minutes. MacDonald provided the deep cross from the right, Michael Moon tricked his way past Luke Howell and centred before Harrold gave Abbey no chance from eight yards.

Rallied by the constant work of Hadfield in midfield, the Dons bounced back quickly with a goal of tremendous quality.

Livermore started it himself with a crossfield ball to Barnett on the right with Howell joining in quickly.

The full-back played a great one-two with Gallen into the box before cutting back for Livermore, who rammed the ball home from 12 yards.

The visitors probably should have taken a lead into the break as both MacDonald and Harrold wasted excellent chances before half-time - though Abbey must be given credit for a stunning save to deny Harrold.

Both sides continued to create chances after the break - Harrold blazing over when well-placed before Baldock was denied by the assistant's flag after converting a pass from Edds.

Edds was in the thick of the action at both ends as he made a fantastic block from MacDonald as the striker tried to finish Damian Scannell's cross.

The changes came shortly afterwards and Powell put the Dons in the lead with almost his first touch.

Sam Collins' deep, inswinging corner was volleyed goalwards by Edds and the substitute showed great presence of mind to stick out a foot and divert it past Steve Collis.

Whether the Dons could hold the lead was answered within two minutes when they conceded a disappointing equaliser.

Luke Thurlbourne swung in a deep corner from the left and Liptak was completely unmarked with time to take a touch before finishing from five yards.

Nine minutes on and the visitors were back in front as a wonderful piece of defending went unrewarded.

Scannell again provided the ammunition from the left and Collins made a superb block to deny MacDonald a shooting chance.

But the loose ball broke to Harrold, who swept it into the top corner from 10 yards.

The Dons still had chances to win the game let alone salvage a point, but Baldock was found uncharacteristically wanting in front of goal.

First the young striker was denied by Collis as he raced onto Liam Kelly's pass, but will be kicking himself for failing to level the scores at the death.

Showing great alertness to intercept a suicidal backpass from Johnny Herd, Baldock was face to face with Collis with all the time in the world.

Unfortunately, he took too long and having beaten the goalkeeper, Liptak was back to recover.

Dons: Abbey, Howell, Thorne, King, Collins, Hadfield (Kelly 65), Edds, Livermore (Shuter 65), Barnett, Gallen (Powell 65), Baldock.

Subs not used: Fox