MK Dons Under-18s were bundled out of the FA Youth Cup by Ware, following an eventful period of extra time at Stadium MK
Despite having more of the play and clearer chances during the regular 90 minutes, the Young Dons were hit by a straight red card and two goals in the first period of extra time by the Hertfordshire side.
Jon Goodman’s side dominated the first half, starting brightly, and they created the first chance when a shot from Josh Bailey from 25 yards out was parried away for a corner in the 14th minute.
Four minutes later, the Dons created another opening when a through ball into Jamie Robinson saw his first-time shot go just wide of the near post.
Ware gradually settled into the game at Stadium MK and had their clearest opening just before the 20-minute mark as a free-kick was headed over from around 12 yards out.
The half's big talking point came in the 25th minute when Ware keeper Daniel Weaver was booked for wiping out a Dons’ number nine James Holmes on the edge of the box when he appeared through on goal.
Chances continued to come the Dons’ way, with Rio Deall's near-post header, from captain Finn Brennan's cross, forcing the Ware keeper into a save just before the half-hour mark.
Five minutes before the break, a set piece gave the Dons another opportunity as after an initial free-kick hit the wall. The rebound came to John Freeman whose dipping first-time half volley from the edge of the area went just wide of the right post.
The Dons also had the last chance of the half when Robinson hit a first time shot from 25-yards out, but it proved a comfortable save for the keeper.
Early in the second half, the side from the Eastern Junior Alliance League created an opening when a ball across from the right by Sam Hicks was pushed away from in front of goal by Dons keeper Tom Carter.
A minute later, Deall's close-range header went just wide of the right-hand post after a cross from the left from Dons sub Malaki Black.
Another chance came the Dons’ way with ten minutes to go as Deall's looping header was fumbled and then regathered by the Ware keeper.
The Dons continued to press for a winner in the late stages as the game became increasingly stretched and it almost came their way when a through ball found Robinson whose right-footed shot from just inside the box was saved by the keeper.
In front of 400 fans, the match went to extra time on an increasingly chilly night and within five minutes of the start of the additional period the Dons were reduced to ten men. Deall was given a straight red card for reacting to a foul on him by a Ware player.
The visitors posed an increasing threat with the extra man and sub Joe Abe soon hit a shot across the face of goal and wide of the far post.
Moments later, the side from Hertfordshire took the lead when, from the edge of the area, Abe lobbed Carter, sparking wild celebrations from Ware supporters, players and coaching staff.
Ahead of the midway point of extra time, a Ware free-kick was headed towards goal from close range by the visitor’s captain Alfie Campbell. The ball hit the post and despite Carter's best efforts the ball rolled agonisingly over the line to put the game out of the Dons’ reach.
After the Dons had a penalty appeal for what appeared a clear handball waved away, the visitors broke up the other end and almost put the game to bed however Carter saved from a one-on-one situation.
The Under-18s return to league action at Woughton-on-the-Green on Saturday morning when they play Gillingham in the Youth Alliance League (11am ko).
MK Dons: Carter, Smith, Brennan (c), Freeman, Leach, Ogwuazor (Black 52), Robinson, Rowley (Jallow 56), J Holmes (R Holmes 70), Bailey (Matshazi 100), Deall.
Subs not used: Mumford, Crane, Wangusi.
Red card: Deall.
Ware: Weaver, Tree, Hares, Gialo, Hove, Campbell, Hicks (Abe 90+3), Bennett (Meadows 105), Weald, Shepherd (Grey 75), Luck (Reynolds 66).
Subs not used: Deans, Conboy, Crowter.
Goals: Abe (98), Campbell (105)
