MK Dons Under-18s exited the FA Youth Cup at the Second Round stage after a 3-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.
Goals from Will Jenkins-Davies and Jamal Salawu had Plymouth in front at the break but James Meadows pulled the Young Dons within one with a close-range finish early in the second half.
Salawu, though, scored again with eight minutes to play to secure victory for his side and prevent MK Dons from reaching the Third Round for a second consecutive season.
Ronnie Sandford was called into action early on to deny Oscar Massy. The 17-year-old then produced a double save, including a fine diving stop to his left to keep out a long-range Caleb Roberts strike.
Plymouth did find a way past Sandford on 18 minutes courtesy of Jenkins-Davies, who converted from Jamal Salawu’s cross. 1-0.
Salawu then turned scorer just three minutes later, as he beat Sandford one-on-one with a curling finish which doubled the home side’s advantage. 2-0.
Sandford prevented Salawu from scoring a quickfire second with another strong save. He also produced a point-blank stop to prevent the hosts from adding a third from a corner.
Brooklyn Ilunga did go close to reducing the deficit before half-time with a well-hit strike from the edge of the D, however the effort was too close to the Argyle goalkeeper, who made the save.
The Young Dons did pull a goal back eight minutes into the second half through Meadows, who converted from close-range. 2-1.
Moments of sustained pressure on the Plymouth goal followed but John Bitting’s side weren’t able to find a leveller.
The home side then restored their two-goal advantage and sealed their place in round three - Salawu the goalscorer despite appeals from the Dons players for a foul in the build-up. 3-1.
MK Dons: Sandford, Smith, Lucas, Gyamfi, Ogundega (Daffern 46), Waller (Orphanides 62), Johnson, Tripp, Meadows (Boyce), Anker, Ilunga.
Subs: Stacey, Bombo.
Goal: Meadows (53)
