Preview: Dons 2-1 Leyton Orient
A late show from the Dons saw them progress to the second round of the Capital One Cup after a 2-1 win over Leyton Orient at stadiummk.
An own goal from Mathieu Baudry and a fine strike from Carl Baker in the final five minutes cancelled out Orient's opener, which came courtesy of Dean Lewington in fortuitous circumstances in the first half.
The Dons fans were treated to a nice surprise pre-match with the announcement of a contract extension for Ben Reeves, who will remain at the Club until the summer of 2017.
Reeves, on the bench, was one of 10 players to make way from Saturday’s side, offering the opportunity for Cody Cropper, Matt Upson, Sergio Azuga, Cristian Benavente and Simon Church to make their full debuts.
However, it was a well known face in Baker who registered the first shot on target after eight minutes, bringing the best out of Alex Cisak after being fed by the lively Benavente on the edge of the box.
Orient responded with an effort from Blair Turgott, which Cropper comfortably watched past his right-hand post.
But it was the Dons who were in control and Baker threatened again 20 minutes in, the winger sending a low drive not too far wide of the mark.
A fantastic block from Joe Walsh denied Turgott on 34 minutes as the visitors tried to catch the Dons on the counter.
However, the men from MK1 did find themselves 1-0 down two minutes later, Lewington unluckily turning Dean Cox’s cross past Cropper, who slipped as he aimed to gather.
Dale Jennings, a late replacement for Daniel Powell, forced Cisak into a fine save at the start of the second half from 20 yards as they looked for an equaliser.
Baker shot down the throat of Cisak with the Dons aiming to up the pressure as the hour mark approached while, at the other end, Ollie Palmer fired a warning with an effort over the top on the break.
Real Madrid Castilla pair Aguza and Benavente combined to create a chance for the latter but he saw his drive charged down with just over 25 minutes remaining.
Cropper brilliantly tipped Turgott’s dangerous cross behind before he got down well to get enough on Palmer’s low drive to deny Orient taking a 2-0 lead.
Reeves was introduced to try and help bring Robinson’s men back into the game and, with his first involvement, he almost found Simon Church with a teasing cross.
Shortly afterwards, the Dons’ number 10 saw a deflected shot loop into the grateful arms of Cisak who, along with his defence, were beginning to be asked more questions.
Kyle McFadzean and Sam Gallagher were further introduced as time began to run out but clear-cut chances were hard to come by – Aguza being crowded out after nice interchange inside the box with Gallagher.
Cropper ensured the score remained 1-0 going into the final five minutes, superbly pushing Jay Simpson’s effort following a fast break from the visitors.
The Dons were level on 89 minutes when Reeves’ dangerous delivery was headed into his own net by Baudry.
There was still time for a winner and it came from Baker who, after receiving the ball from Church, the Dons’ number 7 fired low past Cisak to complete a late turnaround.
MK Dons: Cropper; Hodson, Walsh, Upson (McFadzean 75), Lewington (c); Rasulo, Aguza; Baker, Benavente (Gallagher 75), Jennings (Reeves 67); Church.
Unused subs: Martin, Spence, Flanagan, Tilney.
Goals: Baudry og (89), Baker (90+1).
Bookings: Upson.
Attendance: 5,444.
An own goal from Mathieu Baudry and a fine strike from Carl Baker in the final five minutes cancelled out Orient's opener, which came courtesy of Dean Lewington in fortuitous circumstances in the first half.
The Dons fans were treated to a nice surprise pre-match with the announcement of a contract extension for Ben Reeves, who will remain at the Club until the summer of 2017.
Reeves, on the bench, was one of 10 players to make way from Saturday’s side, offering the opportunity for Cody Cropper, Matt Upson, Sergio Azuga, Cristian Benavente and Simon Church to make their full debuts.
However, it was a well known face in Baker who registered the first shot on target after eight minutes, bringing the best out of Alex Cisak after being fed by the lively Benavente on the edge of the box.
Orient responded with an effort from Blair Turgott, which Cropper comfortably watched past his right-hand post.
But it was the Dons who were in control and Baker threatened again 20 minutes in, the winger sending a low drive not too far wide of the mark.
A fantastic block from Joe Walsh denied Turgott on 34 minutes as the visitors tried to catch the Dons on the counter.
However, the men from MK1 did find themselves 1-0 down two minutes later, Lewington unluckily turning Dean Cox’s cross past Cropper, who slipped as he aimed to gather.
Dale Jennings, a late replacement for Daniel Powell, forced Cisak into a fine save at the start of the second half from 20 yards as they looked for an equaliser.
Baker shot down the throat of Cisak with the Dons aiming to up the pressure as the hour mark approached while, at the other end, Ollie Palmer fired a warning with an effort over the top on the break.
Real Madrid Castilla pair Aguza and Benavente combined to create a chance for the latter but he saw his drive charged down with just over 25 minutes remaining.
Cropper brilliantly tipped Turgott’s dangerous cross behind before he got down well to get enough on Palmer’s low drive to deny Orient taking a 2-0 lead.
Reeves was introduced to try and help bring Robinson’s men back into the game and, with his first involvement, he almost found Simon Church with a teasing cross.
Shortly afterwards, the Dons’ number 10 saw a deflected shot loop into the grateful arms of Cisak who, along with his defence, were beginning to be asked more questions.
Kyle McFadzean and Sam Gallagher were further introduced as time began to run out but clear-cut chances were hard to come by – Aguza being crowded out after nice interchange inside the box with Gallagher.
Cropper ensured the score remained 1-0 going into the final five minutes, superbly pushing Jay Simpson’s effort following a fast break from the visitors.
The Dons were level on 89 minutes when Reeves’ dangerous delivery was headed into his own net by Baudry.
There was still time for a winner and it came from Baker who, after receiving the ball from Church, the Dons’ number 7 fired low past Cisak to complete a late turnaround.
MK Dons: Cropper; Hodson, Walsh, Upson (McFadzean 75), Lewington (c); Rasulo, Aguza; Baker, Benavente (Gallagher 75), Jennings (Reeves 67); Church.
Unused subs: Martin, Spence, Flanagan, Tilney.
Goals: Baudry og (89), Baker (90+1).
Bookings: Upson.
Attendance: 5,444.
