MK Dons fell to their first Central League defeat of the campaign at the hands of Peterborough United, losing 4-0 to a strong Posh side.

The Posh worked their way into a two-goal half-time lead thanks to Harrison Burrow’s strike and a penalty from Siriki Dembélé.

Dembélé added a terrific second early in the second period before Idris Kanu rounded off the away win with a close-range finish.

The Dons’ starting line-up included six first-team players and the experienced Gary O’Neil, who has been training with the Club for several weeks while he searches for a new club.

Baily Cargill was amongst those first-teamers involved as he continued his recovery from injury while there were also starts for scholars Finn Brennan, Jamal Sule, John Freeman and first-year apprentice Rio Deall.

Peterborough United, whose side included a number of senior figures, started brightly and had Stuart Moore diving to his right early on – fortunately for the goalkeeper, Serhat Tasdemir’s strike had deflected wide of his right post.

Tasdemier was denied again on 19 minutes courtesy of a crucial last-ditch tackle from Cargill, who looked solid in the early proceedings.

The Dons then had a great opportunity to open the scoring when Freeman picked out Dylan Asonganyi with a superb through pass. The striker, however, took a heavy touch and that allowed goalkeeper Aaron Chapman to come out and collect.

Four minutes later, Posh took the lead thanks to Burrows, who collected a pass from Tasdemir before finding the net with a composed finish off the right upright. 0-1.

Ryan Harley volleyed over shorty after the half-hour mark as the Dons went in search of an equaliser. They would, though, find themselves two goals down just two minutes later.

Matthew Sorinola brought down Idris Kanu inside the area fellow frontman Dembélé converted from 12-yards to double Posh’s advantage. 0-2.

O’Neil almost pulled a goal back within a couple of minutes of the re-start but saw his curling attempt fall wide of the target. With their final chance of the first half, Brennan Dickenson fired over direct from a free-kick.

Cargill went agonisingly close to reducing the deficit two minutes into the second half but his header from Dickenson’s corner was deflected over the bar.

Peterborough then extended their lead to three on 52 minutes, with the lively Dembélé finding the net for a second time following a mazy run into the Dons’ penalty area. 0-3.

Shortly after, Kanu added a fourth for the visitors, turning home a low cross by Dan Butler from inside the six-yard area. 0-4.

Cargill made his way off a minute later, with 60 minutes under his belt – one positive for the Dons on an otherwise difficult afternoon.

Goalkeeper Moore was another bright spark for Tisdale as he made countless impressive saves to prevent Posh from extending their advantage.

The Dons had chances to register a consolation – O’Neil and Dickenson produced two of the best opportunities but were both denied by Chapman – but they weren’t able to find a way onto the scoresheet.

Defeat then, for the Dons, who drop to fourth in the Central League table while opponents Peterborough United leapfrog Southend United into first place with their second win in as many games.

MK Dons: Moore, Sorinola, Cargill (c) (Leach 62), O’Neil, Sule, Harley (Robinson 46), Freeman, Asonganyi, Deall, Dickenson, Brennan (Black 84).

Unused subs: Rose.

Peterborough United: Chapman, Ward, Butler, Bennett, Cartwright (Copping 57), Barker (A Jones 74), Dembélé (RJ Jones 62), Woodyard, Tasdemir, Burrows (Mensah 74), Kanu.

Unused subs: Allen.

Goals: Burrows (27), Dembélé (pen 35, 52), Kanu (61)