There was a new man between the sticks for MK Dons on Saturday

Debutant Will Dennis impressed head coach Paul Warne as he made his first start for MK Dons on Saturday.

The goalkeeper made the switch from Bournemouth last month, and has had to bide his time to get a chance between the sticks, a spot reserved for Craig MacGillivray thus far.

But after Dons had conceded six goals in three days against both Wigan Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers, Warne felt it time to give Dennis his first start.

While there was an early heart-stopping moment when the 26-year-old got his wires crossed with centre-half Curtis Nelson, almost allowing Owura Edwards an empty goal to aim at, Dennis recovered to make an important save to keep Peterborough at bay.

Not really called into making any eye-catching saves, he was beaten late on by Christopher Conn-Clarke’s header to deny him a clean sheet and Dons their first win of the season.

Overall though, Warne was pleased with his new custodian, though said dropping MacGillivray was not a slight on the Scot.

Everyone’s responsible for goals going in but we have conceded six goals in two games,” the head coach said. “I treat goalkeepers like outfield players, I’m not one to stick no matter what.

“I thought Will was really good. He wasn’t at fault for the goal, and neither was Craig for any goals this season either, but sometimes you just need something different. It was disappointing for him not to keep that clean sheet.

“I don’t think we were cut open and he had to make six or seven saves, and we’re waxing lyrical about him keeping us in it. That’s why it feels more frustrating.”

At the opposite end of the pitch, Aaron Collins netted his fifth goal of the season when he rattled home the opener on the half-hour mark.

Now just two behind his tally from last season, the Welshman has been a key man for Dons, with Warne saying: “You can’t knock that, five goals and he nearly got another when he cut inside. I’m pleased for him, and we’d all be even happier if it was the winning goal.”

Captain Alex Gilbey added: “Aaron is flying. He had a really tough time last year, and he is an unbelievable kid. It’s good to see him with a smile on his face and smiling again.”