MK Dons endured a difficult night in West Yorkshire after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the University of Bradford Stadium.

The Bantams, who beat Wrexham 1-0 on Saturday, then added two second half goals in as many minutes from Andy Cook and Clarke Odour to condemn the Dons to defeat.

Nathan Harness and Emre Tezgel were both handed their first-ever MK Dons league starts by Mike Williamson at the University of Bradford stadium.

Anthony Stewart was also reintroduced into the squad, the defender was named amongst the substitutes alongside under-18s shot-stopper Sebastian Stacey who was making his first appearance in an MK Dons first team squad.

Fellow goalkeeper Michael Kelly missed out due to a personal matter.

FIRST HALF

MK Dons keeper Nathan Harness was thrust into action early on his debut with the shot-stopper confidently claiming a Bradford cross in the opening moments.

The Dons won the first corner of the night after five minutes, Alex Gilbey met Jack Payne’s cross but struggled to control his header from an acute angle.

Emre Tezgel made his presence felt early in the first half, the young striker quickly combined with Gilbey in the penalty to get his first shot away, but it was well blocked by the Bradford defence.

Just a minute later Bradford took the lead, centre back Matthew Platt latched onto a ball on the edge of the Dons penalty area and lashed home a powerful shot into the top right hand corner. 1-0.  

Mike Williamson’s side looked to retain position after conceding and passed the ball around well on a difficult surface in an attempt to control the game.

MK Dons began to build momentum as the half progressed, Daniel Harvie ran the length of City’s half virtually unchallenged before finding Alex Gilbey who had his shot blocked at close range.

The Dons continued to pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser with Tezgel and Kemp running at Bradford’s defence with increased confidence.

The West Yorkshire side held firm though, with defenders Platt and Kelly demonstrating their strength.

On 36 minutes Bradford doubled their lead, Nathan Harness did well to stop Clarke Odour’s initial shot down to his left after the midfielder flew down the wing, but the ball ricocheted off the post to give Calum Kavanagh a tap in. 2-0.

With a few minutes left to play of the fist half Jack Payne intercepted Bradford in midfield and went on a dizzying run up the pitch to find Emre Tezgel. 

The forward laid the ball off to Alex Gilbey on the edge of the box but the midfielder was hacked down before he could shoot, earning the Dons a free kick in a dangerous position.

Payne struck the resulting free-kick brilliantly and forced Walker into a good save low down to his right.

SECOND HALF

Bradford goalscorer Kavanagh had the opening chance of the second 45 minutes, picking the ball up in the MK Dons half before firing his shot well over Nathan Harness’ goal.

A few moments later Bradford scored their third, Andy Cook was quickest to react to a frantic goalmouth scramble and stuck home from close-range after MK Dons failed to clear. 3-0.

Bradford immediately added a fourth. Kavanagh managed to wrestle the ball from the Dons defence and found Odour who struck home another close-range goal. 4-0.

Mike Williamson then made a double change with Bate and Wearne replacing Williams and Kemp.

Wearne almost made an instant impact, the midfielder kept hold of position well on the edge of the City area before picking out Tezgel who steered his shot just wide from a tricky angle.

Tezgel had another chance just moments later, Kyran Lofthouse squared the ball to the forward after making a great run into the Bradford half, the England under-17 was unlucky with his effort which crept agonisingly wide of the post.

Mike Williamson made another double change on 67 minutes, Alex Gilbey was replaced by Ethan Robson, while Emre Tezgel made way for Matthew Dennis to make his first MK Dons appearance since December after recovering from injury.

MK Dons were then awarded a free kick in a dangerous position after a cynical Jonathan Tomkinson foul on Stephen Wearne which earned the defender a booking.

Jack Payne’s effort from the resulting free-kick zipped just wide of the keeper’s left-hand side.

Payne had another chance in the 81st minute, doing well to latch onto a Joe Tomlinson ball before stabbing just wide to Walker’s right.

Stephen Wearne had another chance a few moments later, forcing another good save from City’s keeper at close range.

Six minutes of stoppage time played out with little incident before referee Ollie Yates blew the whistle for full-time.

***

MK Dons: Harness, Norman, O’Hora, Williams (Bate 51), Gilbey (C) (Robson 67), Payne, Tomlinson, Harvie, Tezgel (Dennis 67), Kemp (Wearne 51), Lofthouse

Subs: Stacey, Lewington, Stewart

Goals: 

Yellow cards: Robson 90

Bradford City: Walker, Halliday, Platt, Smallwood (C), Kavanagh, Cook, Gilliead, Odour (Young

67), Kelly, McDonald (Ridehalgh 67), Tomkinson

Subs: Doyle, Smith, Stubbs, Chapman, Pointon, 

Goals: Platt 14, Kavanagh 36

Yellow cards: Tomkinson 71, Cook 76

Referee: Ollie Yates

Stadium: University of Bradford Stadium