Nothing personal in Sorensen's first-half withdrawal

Dons boss Russell Martin said Lasse Sorensen had to be the sacrificial lamb when he made a 32nd-minute substitution while 1-0 down to Shrewsbury on Tuesday night.

In an opening half an hour which could have seen any of the 11 players on the pitch taken off, the Stoke loanee was hooked in favour of a combative David Kasumu, and his facial expression was one of both shock, disappointment and anger as he sat down in the dugout.

Martin insisted it was not a personal slight on Sorensen by taking him off so early in the game, but felt Kasumu would add a bite in midfield Dons were sorely lacking at that time.

"We needed David on to protect the back three," said the manager. "It didn't need to be Lasse but unfortunately for him I took him off. It's never personal, it's always professional to protect the team.

"David was outstanding when he came on. He's a young player, he has ups and downs in form and he showed what he's capable of. He was strong, athletic, use of the ball was a better in recent weeks, and the pace of the game dictated we needed him."