MK Dons Under-18s lost 3-1 to Luton Town in a local derby at Woughton-on-the-Green.
The visitors scored two first-half goals and missed a penalty before the break. The Hatters then extended their lead from the spot after half-time before Matt Sorinola (pictured a scored a consolation goal late on for the Dons.
Edu Rubio’s side were second best during much of the first half but had a good chance in the 15th minute when the visitors gave the ball away to Charlie Pattison inside the box, with the midfielder’s effort parried away by the Luton keeper.
Luton then took the lead midway through the first half when a cross from the left was touched into the net from close range by a Hatters player – 0-1.
Eight minutes later, the side from Bedfordshire doubled their advantage when a corner swung in from the right was flicked in at the near post – 0-2.
Things could have got worse for the Dons five minutes later when the hosts gave away a spot-kick after a foul by Jamal Sule in the box.
Dons keeper Alfie Jones produced a good save parrying away the spot kick which went low to his left to keep the score at 0-2 heading into half-time.
The Dons had a good double chance to reduce the arrears in the 57th minute after Sorinola’s effort inside the box was miscued before finding its way to sub Jamie Robinson, whose low swerving shot was pushed away by the Luton keeper.
Another penalty was awarded to Luton in the 63rd minute for a foul inside the box and this time the Hatters number nine wrong-footed Jones and rolled the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net – 0-3.
A route one move almost produced a goal for the hosts in the 70th minute as Jones goal kick found Sorinola who produced a driving run into the box before hitting a low shot which was parried away to safety.
The Dons got themselves a consolation goal in the 88th minute when Sorinola tucked home from close range after the ball came to him inside the box – 1-3.
In stoppage time the Dons could have got another goal back when the ball came to Bird at close range on the left hand side of the area, but the striker’s fiercely struck effort was beaten away by the keeper.
Deep in added time there was an off-the-ball incident which saw both Dons striker Recoe Martin and a Luton player shown red cards.
After the match, Under-18s Manager Rubio said: “It was a really poor first half where we conceded to a cross and a corner. We have been working on concentration and we should have done better in those moments.
“At half-time I said to the players there was a lack of desire, energy and willingness. We changed the formation at half-time and improved in the second period.
“The second half showed we are capable of doing better but it was disappointing that we put ourselves in a scenario where we had to chase the game in the second half.
“The positives are that when we are on our game we do well and can beat anyone but we need to find the consistency and have the required levels of energy for the whole 90 minutes.”
Starting XI: Jones, Sule, Brennan (Wright 46), Davies (Robinson 46), Hourican-Harvey, Freeman (Rowley 46), Ackom, Pattison, Martin, Bird, Sorinola.
Unused subs: Leach, Rose.
Goal: Sorinola 88.
Sent off: Martin (90+4).