Boateng's brace fires Dons' U23s to victory over AFC Wimbledon

Hiram Boateng scored twice as MK Dons U23s beat AFC Wimbledon 3-2 in the Central League Cup at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday.

Kieran Agard fired Dons ahead after just 44 seconds, but AFC equalised when Tommy Wood beat Lawrie Walker on 29 minutes. Parity lasted just seven minutes as Boateng fired in his first of the afternoon, and made it 3-1 on 59 minutes with his second. Though Troy Chiabi pulled one back for the home side, Dons held on to take the win.

MK Dons boasted 131 first team appearances this season in their side at Kingsmeadow, and it showed within the opening 45 seconds when Hiram Boateng and Dylan Asonganyi to feed Kieran Agard to coolly slot past keeper Matt Cox to give the visitors an early lead.

Despite their experience, it was not one-way traffic, as the home side forced the issue. Twice they were denied by the linesman's flag as they caught sight of goal, while Laurie Walker also made two good stops to keep his side ahead.

But there was little the keeper could do to prevent Tommy Wood's equaliser on 28 minutes. Finlay Macnab's quick feet worked himself away from Pattison's attentions, fizzing the ball into the six yard box for Wood to touch home.

Dons though were back in front seven minutes later as once again, the experienced heads combined when Jordan Bowery held the ball up to find Boateng's run, firing past Cox to restore their lead.

They thought they had made it 3-1 two minutes later too, only for Agard to be denied by the offside flag as he tapped home Bowery's cross.

The second half saw Dons introduce Jamal Sule for the impressive Jack Davies at the back, as the visitors looked to turn the screw. Once again it was the senior players who would make their mark. Cargill's diagonal balls twice picked out Bowery, but from a narrow angle could not force Cox into a save with either chance.

Boateng would get his second of the day just before the hour mark when he was rolled in by Asonganyi, but AFC were quickly back within a goal when Cargill was caught ball-watching to allow Troy Chiabi to tap home three minutes later.

Walker made two more good saves to deny an equaliser from the home side, while Dons looked to use Rio Deall's pace up front, though Cox never really looked tested.

Boateng, on a hat-trick, only saw one more sight of goal as he fired over the top with five minutes to go as Dons held on to win.

MK Dons: Walker, Pattison, Brennan, Kasumu, Davies (Sule 46), Cargill, Harley (Deall 60), Boateng, Bowery, Asonganyi (Freeman 60), Agard

Subs not used: Carter, Holmes