MK Dons continued their pre-season campaign with a friendly at Northampton Town, with the home side coming out on top in a competitive encounter at the PTS Academy Stadium.

Sam Hoskins and Harry Smith found the target for Keith Curle’s side while Kieran Agard struck his second goal of the summer for the Dons.

Tisdale’s line-up included six players who started the 1-0 win over Hemel Hempstead Town on Tuesday evening and five changes, including goalkeeper Lee Nicholls and a front-two of Jordan Bowery and Joe Mason.

The Dons started brightly but it was Northampton who threatened goal first through Sam Hoskins, whose left-footed drive was saved well by a strong right arm from Nicholls.

Ryan Harley tried to respond shortly afterwards with a long-range effort, following a neat move to get away from Cobblers midfielder Alan McCormack, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

On 12 minutes, Matt Warburton dragged a left-footed shot wide for the hosts. They then took the lead with their next chance - Hoskins finishing first-time from Nicky Adams’ deep cross. 1-0.

MK Dons almost responded instantly but Conor McGrandles’ curling attempt was blocked by a defender. Callum Brittain then delivered a teasing low ball which wasn’t capitalised on inside the Cobblers box.

Four minutes later, Bowery met a Dean Lewington cross but headed wide. Mason then went close to connecting with a George Williams ball but was just beaten to it by Turnbull.

Nicholls was forced into a save at the other end - the goalkeeper did well to gather Harry Smith’s powerful strike. From the resulting counter, Mason glanced a header just wide of the left-hand upright after meeting a ball in from Harley.

With 10 minutes left to play in the half, Nicholls was forced into a diving save to deny Matt Warburton. Bowery had two opportunities at the other end to level the scores but wasn’t able to truly threaten David Cornell on either occasion.

Northampton substitute Scott Wharton headed over from a corner with the second half’s first opportunity on goal. Harley then sent a free-kick crashing into the wall at the other end before Nicholls saved from Smith.

The Dons had a great opportunity to level the scores in the 53rd minute when Mason got to the byline. He cut the ball back for an on-rushing Joe Walsh who couldn’t keep his effort down.

They were made to pay as the home side then doubled their lead from a corner - Smith sending a powerful header past Nicholls from Adams’ out-swinging delivery. 2-0.

Tisdale made his first two changes shortly after the hour-mark, introducing Hiram Boateng and Kieran Agard off the bench. The latter went close to making an immediate impact but saw his strike blocked by a Cobblers defender.

Dylan Asonganyi and Ben Reeves soon entered along with Regan Poole and Baily Cargill three minutes later. Reeves contributed to the Dons pulling a goal back with five minutes to play as it was from his low ball that Agard found the bottom right-hand corner with a first-time effort. 1-2.

Joe Bunney struck the outside of the post in response while the Dons piled on the pressure late. In the end, the score didn’t change - defeat for Paul Tisdale’s men but, given the time of year, more importantly for them minutes in the bank.

Starting XI: Nicholls, Williams, Lewington (Cargill 77), Walsh, Martin, Brittain, Harley (Boateng 61), Houghton (Poole 77), Bowery (Agard 61), McGrandles (Reeves 74), Mason (Asonganyi 74).

Unused subs: Moore, Nombe, Kasumu, Pattison, Sorinola.

Goal: Agard (86)