MK Dons will begin their second successive season in League One at stadium:mk when Hartlepool United are the visitors on August 8.

After failing in their bid for promotion last time out, Dons will face new trips to Exeter, Brentford and local rivals Wycombe, instead of Newcastle, Middlesbrough and West Brom.

Following their opening day fixture with Hartelpool, Dons face a double-header against Swindon as the two sides meet at the first stage of the 09/10 Carling Cup at stadium:mk on Wednesday August 12 before Dons head for Wiltshire the following Saturday for their opening league game on the road.

Roberto Di Matteo's men tackle the first of the three relegated Championship sides on September 12 when Norwich City come to town, before heading to the south coast to meet Southampton on October 24 and going to Charlton three weeks later on November 14.

Other fixtures of note in 2009 include Leeds United's visit on September 26 and a trip to Millwall on Tuesday December 1.

As well as that trip to the New Den there are another two midweek games to look forward to – or not – as the Dons head to Tranmere on August 18 before taking on Oldham at Boundary Park on September 29.

The first round of the FA Cup is on November 7 and Dons welcome Stockport on Boxing Day before visiting Huddersfield on December 28.

The new year begins with a trip to Colchester United on January 2 and like last season Dons take on Bristol Rovers on the Easter Bank Holiday Monday, this time at the Memorial Stadium.

April looks the toughest month on paper with a trip to the west country joined by fixtures at Norwich and Elland Road.

Dons end the season with the short trip to Walsall on May 8, while the final game at stadium:mk falls a week prior when Brighton visit.

AUGUST
Sat 8 HARTLEPOOL
Wed 12 SWINDON - CARLING CUP
Sat 15 Swindon
Tue 18 Tranmere
Sat 22 COLCHESTER
Sat 29 Exeter

SEPTEMBER
Sat 5 HUDDERSFIELD
Sat 12 NORWICH
Sat 19 Wycombe
Sat 26 LEEDS
Tue 29 Oldham

OCTOBER
Sat 3 Brighton
Sat 10 WALSALL
Sat 17 GILLINGHAM
Sat 24 Southampton
Sat 31 BRISTOL ROVERS

NOVEMBER
Sat 7 FA CUP ROUND ONE
Sat 14 Charlton
Sat 21 Southend
Tue 24 CARLISLE

DECEMBER
Tue 1 Millwall
Sat 5 YEOVIL
Sat 12 Leyton Orient
Sat 19 BRENTFORD
Sat 26 STOCKPORT
Mon 28 Huddersfield

JANUARY
Sat 2 Colchester
Sat 9 SWINDON
Sat 16 Hartlepool
Sat 23 TRANMERE
Sat 30 EXETER

FEBRUARY
Sat 6 Stockport
Sat 13 Carlisle
Sat 20 SOUTHEND
Tue 23 MILLWALL
Sat 27 Yeovil

MARCH
Sat 6 LEYTON ORIENT
Sat 13 Brentford
Sat 20 SOUTHAMPTON
Sat 27 Gillingham

APRIL
Sat 3 CHARLTON
Mon 5 Bristol Rovers
Sat 10 Norwich
Tue 13 OLDHAM
Sat 17 WYCOMBE
Sat 24 Leeds

MAY
Sat 1 BRIGHTON
Sat 8 Walsall

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