MK Dons played out a 1-1 draw with King's Lynn Town in their second friendly in two days.
Liam Manning used the occasion to hand minutes to those who weren't involved in the 6-0 win over Norwich City on Friday, including recent arrivals Louie Barry, Jamie Cumming and Will Grigg.
In a game played in scorching Norfolk conditions, it was the home side who took the lead through Gold Omotayo's but a dominant second half display from the Dons eventually saw them level the scores courtesy of an own goal with two minutes to play.
Most importantly, though, were valuable minutes for much of the Dons squad although there was some concern for Josh McEachran and Tennai Watson, who were both forced off with injuries.
Team news
Liam Manning’s starting line-up was much-changed from Friday’s friendly with Norwich City Under-23s, with only Zak Jules and Matt Smith keeping their places in the XI.
There was a maiden start for Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry as well as first appearances back in MK Dons colours for Jamie Cumming and Will Grigg, who returned to the Club on Thursday.
First half
Matt Smith went close to a fourth-minute opener but saw his effort, from Barry’s pull-back, well-saved by Linnets goalkeeper Paul Jones.
Jamie Cumming then produced a routine stop to keep out Hargreaves’ shot which he also saved from Widdrington just past the quarter-hour mark.
The Dons were forced into a change in the 20th minute, with Josh McEachran withdrawn after picking up an early knock.
He was replaced by Callum Tripp in midfield, who almost set up a chance for Grigg but saw his ball over the top collected by the goalkeeper.
With half an hour played, after surviving two wide free-kicks from the hosts, Barry went on a strong run down the left wing but saw his eventual shot blocked by a host of King’s Lynn bodies.
Grigg then went close with a deft touch from a recycled corner before the hosts opened the scoring on the counter courtesy of a terrific header by Gold Omotayo, who beat an outstretched Cumming from a right-wing cross. 1-0.
Cumming denied Omotayo as the Lynn striker threatened a second headed goal three minutes later but the score remained one-nil in favour of the home side going into the break.
Half-Time - King’s Lynn Town 1-0 MK Dons
Second half
Liam Manning’s men returned from the break with two changes as Jules and Smith, who both started Friday’s game with Norwich, were replaced by Brooklyn Ilunga and Conor Grant.
The Dons went close to levelling the scores early on but Grigg, after being found by Tripp, couldn’t find the target from the edge of the area. At the other end, Cumming saved comfortably from a Clunans free-kick.
Grigg, from a tight angle, threatened again on 58 minutes but was forced to settle for a corner which the Dons weren’t able to capitalise on. From a later corner, Barry almost found the net but saw his header land wide from Grant’s delivery.
That was Barry’s final involvement as he was replaced by Charlie Waller - one of three changes made just past the hour along with Matt Dennis on for Grigg and Jack Tucker on for O’Hora.
Dennis almost made an instant impact after being put through on goal but his fierce strike was kept out by the fingertips of Jones.
Bradley Johnson was handed his first Dons appearance with just over a quarter of an hour to play in place of Grant, who had got 75 minutes under his belt across the two games this week. There was also a change involving Tennai Watson, who moments earlier pulled up while chasing a through pass.
Johnson almost marked his Dons bow with a goal but dragged his left-footed shot wide from the edge of the area with 10 minutes left to play.
Manning’s side were able to get back on level terms with the final meaningful moment of the game - an own goal from Tai Fleming, who was unfortunate to see a hurried clearance rebound off him and into the net after Dennis, Anker and Ilunga combined to cause problems in the hosts’ box.
Full-Time - King’s Lynn Town 1-1 MK Dons
MK Dons: Cumming, Watson (Anker 73), Lewington, Jules (Ilunga 46), O’Hora (Tucker 62), McEachran (Tripp 19), Smith (Grant 46 (B Johnson 73)), Grigg (Dennis 62), L Johnson, Barry (Waller 62), Kemp.
Subs: Sandford
Goal: Fleming OG (88)
