Friendly Report: Drogheda United 1 - 3 MK Dons

MK Dons ran out 3-1 winners in a friendly at United Park against Drogheda United, courtesy of a brace from Daniel Powell and a late goal from Brandon Thomas-Asante.

It took the Dons less than a minute to take the lead as Powell won the ball before playing it to Ben Reeves who played a lovely through ball to Hugo Logan. Logan looked up before passing to Powell, who finished off a great team move from close range.

It was the visitors who were in control at this stage and they went close to doubling their lead 15 minutes in as Powell picked out captain Dean Lewington but his shot was well saved by Patrick Dunican.

Karl Robinson's side continued to pile on the pressure and just a minute later, George Williams saw his header from a corner clip the crossbar.

However, Drogheda were level on 35 minutes with what was their first real chance of the game. A low free kick from Gareth McCaffrey was parried by Charlie Burns in the Dons goal and Lloyd Buckley, captain on the night, was there to bundle the ball home.

It was Drogheda who came out the better side at the beginning of the second half as they looked to attack from the wide areas. First, good work from Sean Noble put Deasy through on the right but Donnelly couldn't send his effort goal bound.

Then, just two minutes later, McCaffrey released Mark O'Brien down the left wing, he cut back for Ken Costello on the edge of the box and the midfielder saw his goal bound effort pushed out for a corner.

Then, just before the visitors made nine changes, Daniel Powell restored their lead with what would be his last kick of the game as his low drive from 25 yards ended up in the bottom left corner of Dunican's goal.

Nicky Maynard, who was now up front in place of Powell, had two great chances to extend his sides lead on 70 minutes. First, his close range shot was superbly tipped over by Patrick Dunican before his second attempt from the resulting corner was headed wide.

MK Dons would add a third before the final whistle as good work from Tom Hitchcock sent Brandon Thomas-Asante through one-on-one with substitute keeper Colin Kavanagh and the Dons' man made no mistake as he slotted home with ease.

Drogheda United: Patrick Dunican (Colin Kavanagh 80); Colm Deasy, Kevin Farragher (Sean Brennan 60), Lloyd Buckley (C) (Paul Finnegan 46), Mark O’Brien (Mark Doyle 60); Ken Costello, John McKeown; Sean Noble, Liam Donnelly, Don Cowan (Derek Doyle 46); Gareth McCaffrey.

MK Dons: Charlie Burns; George Williams (George Baldock 60), David Kasumu (Oran Jackson 46), Joe Walsh (Paul Downing 60), Dean Lewington (Ben Tilney 60); Ed Upson (Darren Potter 60), Giorgio Rasulo (Samir Carruthers 60); Hugo Logan (Connor Furlong 60), Ben Reeves (Tom Hitchcock 60), Daniel Powell (Brandon Thomas-Asante 60); Sam Nombe (Nicky Maynard 60).

Referee: Adriano Reale.

Attendance: 100 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Daniel Powell (MK Dons).