MK Dons were defeated on penalties by Chesham United as their counterparts took home the Berks and Bucks Senior County Cup trophy at Stadium MK.
The Dons took a two-goal lead in the first-half after Giorgio Rasulo converted from the spot before Robbie Muirhead doubled the advantage.
Chesham would then score twice in the second-half to send the game to penalties before eventually winning on spot kicks.
Edu Rubio’s side included a mixture of first-team players, Under-23 regulars and a sprinkle of Under-18s. Aidan Nesbitt, Conor McGrandles and Robbie Muirhead all featured in the Cup clash, while Giorgio Rasulo, Conor Furlong and Oran Jackson were also handed minutes. Matthew Sorinola, David Kasumu, Finn Tapp, Joey Evans and Alfie Jones also featured.
On their own turf, it was only natural that the Dons would take control of the game from the offset as both Muirhead and Nesbitt went close within the opening five minutes.
Muirhead, who looked full of confidence, then attempted to lop Hafed Al-Droubi from 40-yards. His effort looked to have caught the Chesham keeper off-guard before he tipped over for a corner.
It was Nesbitt who was next to try his luck after he latched onto Kasumu’s lofted pass before curling his strike into the arms of Al-Droubi.
With 10-minutes on the clock, Chesham had their first chance of the game as David Pearce’s dangerous cross was turned behind at the far post by Joe Evans.
The ebb-and-flow nature of the game continued as Conor McGrandles drove the Dons forward before Nesbitt’s powerful strike rippled the side netting.
Muirhead was next to try his luck as Al-Droubi denied the Scotsman after he was found by Rasulo’s perfectly weighted pass. Nesbitt then attempted to pick out Muirhead with his floated cross only for Murphy to head clear.
Chesham’s first clear shot on goal came with 20-minutes of the game gone when Shane Bush’s dipping volley deflected wide off Finn Tapp.
Nesbitt continued to provide an outlet for the Dons as his attempted lop shaved the post on its way wide after the Scottish winger was picked out by Kasumu.
On 33 minutes McGrandles drove into the penalty area before he was bundled over by Adam Watkins, referee Sunny Gill was left with no other option than to award a penalty. Rasulo took on penalty-taking duties and hammered home to give his side the lead. 0-1.
5 minutes before the break Rubio’s side had their second of the game. Rasulo left two defenders for dead before his shot pushed into the path of Muirhead who smashed home from 6-yards. 0-2.
It was almost three minutes into the second-half as Sorinola’s cross was turned behind after good work on the left from Nesbitt.
The Dons went close yet again when McGrandles, who looked to drive forward whenever in possession, found Muirhead on the left, whose cross was headed narrowly over by Rasulo.
To their credit, Chesham continued to put pressure on the Dons defence and were rewarded in the 53rd minute. Jones produced a stunning save to deny Pearce only for the Chesham striker to convert the rebound and reduce the deficit. 1-2.
The Dons almost restored their two goal advantage immediately with Furlong’s strike going just wide from Sorinola’s cross.
Chesham should probably have equalised on 72 minutes after Oran Swales headed over from four-yards.
Substitute Liam Sole looked to spark life into the Dons attack with the youngster going close twice within a matter of minutes.
Robbie Muirhead came within an inch of sealing the trophy for his side. He attempted to connect with Jay Bird's low ball but can't get enough on it to divert it home.
With the game entering its sixth minute of added time Murphy headed home from close range to send the game to penalties. 2-2.
Rasulo - SCORED 1-0
McGleash - MISSED 1-0
Evans - SCORED 2-0
Lock - SCORED 2-1
Sorinola - MISSED 2-1
Pearce - MISSED 2-1
Tapp - SCORED 3-1
Dhillon - SCORED 3-2
Jackson - MISSED 3-2
Shamsi - SCORED 3-3
Bird - MISSED 3-3
Murphy - SCORED 3-4
Starting XI: Jones; Evans, Tapp, Jackson (C), Sorinola; Kasumu, McGrandles (Sole 65); Furlong, Rasulo, Nesbitt (Bird 80); Muirhead (Pattison 88).
Unused subs: Martin, Ackom.
Goals: Rasulo (34), Muirhead (40).
Attendance: 521
Referee: S Gill.
