MK DONS RES 0 STEVENAGE BOROUGH RES 1

Several first team squad members were given run outs by manager Paul Ince as MK Dons Reserves were beaten 1-0 by Stevenage in the Pontins Holidays Combination.

Nathan Abbey, Carl Regan, Luke Howell, Jordan Hadfield, John Miles and Jemal Johnson were all involved in the game at stadiummk, which also saw a return to action for winger Craig Dobson.

Wayne O'Sullivan's early goal was the only strike in front of a decent crowd at stadiummk, taking advantage of the club's simultaneous Big Day Out DVD launch.

While the result might not have been what the Dons were looking for, the match time given to squad players was more than useful.

Miles produced a string of dangerous runs from deep while Johnson's threat was apparent both out wide and through the centre.

John Miles sets off on another impressive run.

Indeed, as Hadfield and Howell dominated the midfield battle and the Dons monopolised possession, it was difficult to see how they would come away from the game with nothing.

O'Sullivan's eighth-minute effort was one of few Boro attacks in the first half. The Dons on the other hand, were constantly knocking on the door.

Johnson lifted a difficult volley over after great play from Miles down the left, before Hadfield saw a shot from distance rise over the bar after good work from Howell.

Johnson's driven shot across the area caused plenty of concern for Chris Adams but the Stevenage 'keeper held on at the second attempt with bodies closing in around him.

Organised in defence by former Dons midfielder Junior Lewis, Boro were holding on more than anything else and nothing much changed after the break.

Miles flashed a shot just over the bar after a terrific solo run from deep and a burst into the box from Howell almost bore fruit but for a last-ditch tackle from Liam McDevitt.

When Stevenage did manage to throw the ball forward it was generally speculative, and Ollie Thorne's aerial dominance in the Dons' defence gave them little opportunity to make it anything more.

It was like defence against attack for long periods and when Miles saw a lovely curling effort clawed wide via Adams' fingertips, Stevenage must have been convinced their luck was in.

As the home side continued to throw bodies forward, gaps inevitably appeared at the back and Peter Vincenti should have extended Boro's lead, but fired over the bar when well-placed in the area.

O'Sullivan led a late break that should have seen him bag a second, but he turned his injury-time shot past Abbey's left-hand post.

Dons: Abbey, Mitchell-Coop (King 29), Regan, Thorne, Collins, Dobson, Howell, Hadfield (c) (Shuter 67), Miles, Ashraf, Johnson (Chicksen 78).

Subs not used: Fox, Delderfield.