Dons out of the Carabao Cup as Coventry progress

MK Dons are out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle after losing 1-0 to Coventry City.

Tyler Walker's goal nine minutes from time was enough to separate the sides at Stadium MK after Carlton Morris missed a first half penalty, which also saw City reduced to 10-men when Declan Drysdale was sent off.

Fresh from signing from Stoke on Friday afternoon, Lasse Sorensen was thrust straight into the action at Stadium MK for the first game of the season. John Freeman was handed his first team debut in the centre of the park alongside David Kasumu. After experimenting with a back three through pre-season, Russell Martin was forced into playing back four as numbers dwindled, with Dean Lewington and Baily Cargill lining up in the centre of the park.

It was a promising start for the home side too, with the make-shift side causing more problems for Coventry than they withstood. Carlton Morris forced keeper Marko Marosi into a fine save early on before he then charged down the keeper's clearance into the path of Sam Nombe, who missed the open net as he tried to lob the stopper in no man's land.

Dons were handed a huge boost on 28 minutes when a great move featuring Morris and Nombe saw Matthew Sorinola through on goal, only for him to be cynically tripped by Declan Drysdale. Offered no choice, referee Trevor Kettle awarded a penalty and sent off Drysdale. Morris though could not convert from the spot, Marosi diving low to his left to keep it out.

It could have been a double blow for Dons though as Coventry immediately flew forwards, with Ryan Giles firing just wide of Lee Nicholls' goal.

Dons' numerical advantage didn't really show until the second period as they continued to press a high line and spring the offside trap when Coventry tried to break. Dons were the ones on the front foot and but for Marosi, they should have been high and dry as he denied Nombe and Brittain in quick succession.

The game looked to be heading to penalties but nine minutes from time, a Dons defensive lapse allowed Coventry to net the winner. John Freeman, who had until then looked a reliable option in defence, headed back into the danger zone and put Cargill under pressure, allowing Tyler Walker to nip in and fire low past Nicholls for the only goal of the game.

Referee: Trevor Kettle

MK Dons: Nicholls, Sorinola, Lewington, Cargill, Brittain, Houghton, Kasumu, Freeman, Sorensen, Nombe (J Mason 73), Morris

Subs not used: L Walker, Davies, Jallow, Bailey, Black, Rowley

Coventry City: Marosi, McFadzean, Allen, O'Hare, Hyam, Pask, Giles, Godden (Bakayoko 74), Shipley (T Walker 65), Drysdale, Hamer (Kelly 65)

Sub not used: Billson, B Mason, Rose, Bapaga

Booked: Shipley, Kasumu, Cargill, Sorensen, Houghton

Sent off: Drysdale