Darling and O'Riley impress on making Dons debuts

Russell Martin was impressed with the two MK Dons debutants despite the 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.

Both Harry Darling and Matt O'Riley were thrust into the starting line-up after signing over the weekend, with Darling lasting the duration, while O'Riley was withdrawn just after the hour-mark.

Though it would be a frustrating result and performance on the whole from the point of view of the Dons boss, Martin said both gave him plenty of positives to take home while admitting both have more to do to get up to speed.

On Darling, Martin said: "It's such a big role for us, in the middle of the back three. Most of what he did he did brilliantly. There are a lot of stuff a few guys on the pitch can help him with, but he showed real aggression, strength, speed, his defensive actions were good, he was composed on the ball and his range of passing was good too.

"He'll be a very good signing. In a couple of games, he'll be very good for us."

On O'Riley, he added: "He had a couple of chances around the box – he's one of the best strikers of a ball we've got at the club. He hasn't played for a very long time, and the intensity of a League One game is different to the last few games he played for Fulham U23s.

"In a few games, he'd walk off with a goal tonight. He'll be excellent."