Fans returned to Stadium MK to watch MK Dons beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Academy Showcase Match.
Joel Anker put the Dons ahead midway through the first half but Spurs levelled courtesy of a Jamie Donley finish moments before the break.
However, in front of an 841-strong crowd, it was the Dons who would come out on top thanks to a stunning solo goal from Brooklyn Ilunga with two minutes to play.
The Dons made a bright start with both Jacob Anderson and Brooklyn Ilunga testing Luca Gunter in the Tottenham Hotspur goal – the latter’s effort was saved acrobatically by the Spurs keeper.
Gunter produced two more saves to deny Tommy Blennerhassett and Tobi Ogundega before Anker handed the Dons a deserved lead with a deflected effort from inside the area. 1-0.
Sandford was forced into a save just before the half-hour to deny Tom Bloxham. He couldn’t however, keep out Jamie Donley’s close-range effort just before the break – the Spurs striker had a simple tap in from Alfie Dorrington’s cross. 1-1.
Donley had an opportunity to double the lead early in the second half but saw his effort pass the post while, at the other end, Tommy Blennerhassett wasn’t able to find the target following some terrific play from Ilunga down the left.
Liam Mann drilled wide too for the Dons, who then saw Donley miss the target with his own long-range effort.
With eight minutes to play, Sandford made a point-black save to deny Donley and Tottenham a second. Gunter was also on top form and produced an excellent stop to prevent Ilunga finding the net with a fierce left-footed drive.
Ilunga was not to be denied, though, and with two minutes left he gave the Dons a late lead courtesy of a terrific solo goal – a powerful run from half-way which resulted in an inch-perfect finish into the bottom corner. 2-1.
MK Dons: Sandford, Smith, Waller, Gyamfi (Tripp 80), Ogundega, Anderson (Scholtz 62), Anker (Boyce 62), Mann (Daffern 67), Blennerhassett (Meadows 67), Gallagher (Bombo 46), Ilunga.
Subs: Anthony
Goals: Anker (17), Ilunga (87)
Tottenham Hotspur: Hunter, McKnight, Linton, Dorrington, Kyerematen, Heaps (Abbot 62), Donley, Owen (Irow 62), Bloxham (Roswell 80), Williams, Andiyapan.
Subs: Bloedorn, McDermott
Goal: Donley (45+1)
