Brandon Thomas-Asante scored four goals as MK Dons Under-23s beat Southend United 6-1 in their latest Central League South clash.

Thomas-Asante opened the scoring for Edu Rubio’s side on the quarter-hour mark, driving home from Dylan Asonganyi’s cross.

MK Dons, whose starting XI included the likes of Conor McGrandles, Ryan Watson, Lawson D’Ath, Ousseynou Cisse, made it 2-0 six minutes later through Aidan Nesbitt, who turned home after Asonganyi’s effort was parried by the Shrimpers goalkeeper.

Asonganyi was involved again for Dons’ third as, from another one of his saved shots, Thomas-Asante tapped in his second goal of the afternoon.

The 17-year-old then got himself of the scoresheet before half-time, sending a controlled lob over the Southend stopper to make it 4-0.

A minute into the second half, Southend pulled a goal back courtesy of Eren Kinali, who found a way past Stuart Moore with a superb effort off the post.

The Dons, though, restored their four-goal advantage just four minutes later - Thomas-Asante sliding in to meet a Nesbitt cross and complete his hat-trick.

Thomas-Asante capped a superb solo performance by scoring a fourth in the 55th minute and that proved to be the final goal in what was an excellent afternoon’s work for Rubio’s Dons side.

Speaking after the match, Rubio said: “We are very pleased with today’s performance. We managed to play great football and all the lads showed brilliant application and determination.”

Starting XI: Moore, Kasumu, Hancox, Cisse, Jackson, D’Ath, Nesbitt, McGrandles, Asonganyi, Watson, Thomas-Asante.

Subs: Jones, Pattison, Wright, Bird, Sorinola.