Under 18 report by Mark Cockram

A penalty was the only thing to separate MK Dons and Portsmouth in a scrappy game at Woughton on the Green.

The entire match was played in blustery conditions but it didn't stop both teams creating chances, with both teams scoring one sublime goal each.

For MK Dons, Reis Ashraf curled a wonderful free kick into the right hand top corner and for Portsmouth, Jordan Hughes caught Laurie Walker of his line with a great lob.

Portsmouth gained the decisive goal when Tom Flanagan brought down Portsmouth forward Paris Cowan-Hall for a penalty and captain Callum Reynolds slotted the ball well into the corner.

The young Dons came into the game off a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal last week so they wanted back to winning ways. Mike Dove made two changes with Walker and Troy Farden coming in for Kurt Fox and Adam Chicksen.

MK Dons nearly got off to a flying start when Sam Collins' thunderous shot from 30 yards came crashing off the bar and out for a goal kick.

Charlie Shuter gets the better of a Portsmouth defender.

Portsmouth got a glorious chance of their own to take the lead when Pompey caught MK on the counter attack, which resulted in Cowan-Hall attempting to chip the ball over Walker but the Dons 'keeper well to parry it. The loose ball landed to Hughes but Oliver Thorne protected his keeper well with a great tackle.

After that big chance for Portsmouth, MK Dons started to build some pressure and Troy Farden put in a dangerous ball but Pompey defender Reynolds cleared the with a much-needed header.

The pressure finally paid off on the 16th minute when MK Dons got a free kick just outside the area, Ashraf hitting the ball well into the top corner to give MK Dons the lead.

Ashraf was nearly clear on goal in 22nd minute but a last gasp tackle from Joel Ward saved any chance of Portsmouth from going 2-0 down.

Portsmouth's Andreas Govas worked a splendid chance for himself shortly afterwards - the Portsmouth winger controlled the ball superbly but the shot didn't match the touch with Govas scuffing wide of the post.

Laurie Walker lines up his defence for a corner.

The young Dons were playing smooth, easy passing to feet, so it wasn't long before Dove's side created a chance out of it, but it was to no avail as Daniel Powell whipped in a good ball into the box and Farden headed it well wide.

With half time fast-approaching it looked like the Dons were going to hold on to the lead until Hughes showed great vision to see Walker of his line and lobbed the stranded keeper from long range to make it 1-1.

MK made a similar start to the first half after the break, flying out the blocks at the start of the second period and seeing a Collins volley from 20 yards sail wide with a little wind assistance.

Flanagan stopped a good chance for Portsmouth when he blocked Andreas Mutombo fierce shot out for a corner and from the resulting set-piece Mumtombo headed the ball just inches wide of the post.

Flanagan played lovely long ball to Daniel Powell soon after and Powell turned well before unleashing a vicious shot that was well saved by Portsmouth goalkeeper Tom Smith.

Reis Ashraf was again on target during his work experience spell with the Dons.

MK Dons started to build back the advantage that they had gained during parts of the match, producing some excellent passing moves. The best chance came the way of Charlie Shuter whose marvellous shot was deflected just wide.

Portsmouth got a free kick on the 64th minute and took it quickly which nearly caught the Dons off guard - Hughes' shot being excellently saved by Walker.

Flanagan was unfortunate to concede the penalty when he clipped the heels of Cowan-Hall and Reynolds coolly converted the opportunity to give Pompey the advantage.

And the game was nearly killed off when Marlon Pack created acres of space for himself and unleashed an impressive shot inches over Walker's crossbar.

MK Dons went all out to get a point in the final moments of the game and David King attempted an audacious lob on Smith but he totally miscued it.

MK Dons: Walker, King, Thorne (c), Flanagan, S. Collins, Farden (Mitchell-Coop 57), Shuter, M. Powell (Collins 70), D. Powell, Delderfield, Ashraf

Subs Not Used: Fox, Dowling, Carter

Goals: Ashraf 16

Portsmouth: Smith, Mantyla, Reynolds (c), Ward, Blackman, Mutombo, Govas (Castles 80), Pack, Hughes, Kilbey, Cowan-Hall

Subs Not Used: Bogarde, Woodford, Jordan, Page

Goals: Hughes 41, Reynolds 69 (pen)