The Dons lined up with only two new names on show but missing the key names of Gueret and Andrews, we later learned that Keith had been transfered listed to end the speculation.

RDM's first starting eleven read Abbey, Regan, O'Hanlon, Stirling, Lewington, Navarro, Leven, Johnson, Sturm, Wilbraham, Baldock.

The game started brightly with both sides knocking the ball around on a lush slick surface. Reading looked the most threatening as the attacked The Cowshed. Dean Lewington was captain and he marshalled his back four well, Stirling slotted in for Boom Boom and Leven in for Andrews.

Florian Sturm, the Austrian Under 21 International, currently at FC Vaduz who play in Switzerland but are based in Litchenstein, he previously played for Rapid Vienna played in Lloyd Dyers old role and did well on the left wing in the first half.

Reading took the lead as Lewington was turned and robbed, stirling failed to come across as noone closed the space at the near post and Kebe was allowed to smash the ball past Abbey.

The Dons replied in superb fashion the ball made its way to Sam Baldock just outside the box and he cut inside two defenders and unleased an unstoppable shot across the Royals keeper for his first senior goal for MK Dons.

The next action saw Leroy Lita shame himself in a way that should see him fined by his club. After being legally challenged and disposessed by O'Hanlon who was told to play on, Lita pickrd himself up, ran 15 yards and bundled over O'Hanlon with the ball miles away. Lita was "booked" and then subbed to boos echoing around S:MK.

The second half saw the introduction of three subs from the start. On came Dobson, Howell and Dean Morgan, on trial from Luton to replace JJ, Lewi and O'Hanlon. This meant quite a major reshuffle with Sturm going from left wing to left back.

Later switches saw Paul Mitchell return in the biggest cheer of the day to replace Navarro and the lively and impressive young Adam Chicksen on for Sam Baldock. Reading began to over run our midfield and with the Dons pushing forward Steven Hunt scored what proved to be the winner with twenty minutes left.

The last change of the day saw another academy player saw David King replace Peter Leven and he did well against what was a Premiership midfield last season.

All in all Roberto should be pleased with what he saw, I certainly was, we witnessed neat passing football, a definite understanding of how we wanted to play and exactly what we needed to do to acheive it.

My only concern is the lack of trialists playing today and what seems could become a reliance on our youth players to more tham bulk out our slim squad.

MK Dons 1 Baldock 26

Reading 2 Rebe 17, Hunt 64

Att 4,170 (691 Reading)