MK Dons faced their second Sky Bet Championship side in a week as they travelled to Bristol City’s Training Ground for a pre-season clash with The Robins.
The Dons dominated large spells of the game, but the quality of the Sky Bet Championship side shone through as they took a three-goal lead on the hour.
Jay Bird, however, gave the friendly an interesting conclusion as he reduced the deficit with five minutes remaining.
The first chance of the game came via two Ex-Bristol City players combining as Aden Baldwin broke the lines to find Mo Eisa on the edge of the box. The striker set himself on his right, but was unable to keep his effort down.
MK Dons then worked a chance from the back, with Daniel Harvie finding himself with space on the left. His cross was just beyond the run of Tennai Watson who was lurking at the back post.
Harry Darling had the next chance of the afternoon as he met Scott Twine’s dipping corner, his effort ended wide of the post.
Nahki Wells was presented with the first chance for the hosts after his strike partner Tommy Conway regained possession in the final third. Wells’ snapshot was comfortable saved by Ravizzoli.
Harvie then produced a perfectly timed tackle to deny Sam Pearson an attempt on goal, the Scot threw his body on the line just as the winger pulled the trigger before then clearing the rebound.
Despite their dominance of the ball, the Dons would fall behind following Saikou Janneh’s strike. The winger was found by Pearson’s cross as he turned home at the back-post for The Robins. 1-0.
The Dons looked for an immediate reply as Watson displayed his power to create a crossing chance on the right. He picked out Harry Darling who forced a good save from Dan Bentley.
Eisa was the next to force Bentley into the close-range save as the striker produced an audacious flick from Daniel Harvie’s cross. The City keeper got down well to deny Eisa before saving O’Riley’s rebound.
It was O’Riley who forced the first save from Bentley after the break, after an early spell of dominance from MK Dons. Watson picked out the run of Bird who had his shot blocked into the path of the Dons midfielder, his effort was then saved down to the right.
Watson ended up off the pitch following his low cross, allowing the hosts the chance to have a man advantage – one they made the most of. Janneh turned provider as he picked out Tommy Conway, who despite offside claims, turned home first time. 2-0.
Watson, who looked a real danger down the right, combined cleverly with O’Riley on the right-wing to beat the Bristol City offside trap. The former found the run of Jules, who had his effort blocked.
The home side soon made it three as Nahki Wells turned sharply inside the box to beat his man before coolly finishing past Walker. 3-0.
The Dons made wholesale changes shortly after the hour, with Josh Martin looking lively down the right. He drew a tackle from Cam Pring before knocking the ball past him, from there he delivered a driven low cross that just evaded the run of Bird.
Bird would reduce the hosts lead with minutes remaining as he intercepted Dan Bentley's pass before converting into an empty net. 3-1.
Next up for MK Dons, Spurs at Stadium MK.
MK Dons XI: Ravizzoli (Walker 46,) Watson (Ilunga 62,) Baldwin (Lewington 62), O’Hora (Davies 62), Darling (Jules 46), Riley (Freeman 62), Kasumu (Robson 62), Twine (Morton 62), Eisa (Brown 62), Harvie (Martin 58,) Bird.
