MK Dons ease past Southend to reach Carabao Cup third round

Posted Wednesday, August 28, 2019 by PA

MK Dons surged into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable 4-1 win at Southend United.

The visitors dominated the first 45 minutes and deservedly raced into a two-goal lead.

MK Dons broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Rhys Healey collected the ball 12 yards out and brought it back onto his left foot before scoring with a deflected effort which he sent into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

The away side doubled their lead in the 41st minute following a well-worked move which resulted in Callum Brittain sending an impressive long-range effort into the top corner via the underside of the crossbar.

Southend improved at the start of the second half with Stephen Humphrys and Ethan Hamilton both being denied by Dons goalkeeper Stuart Moore before Harry Lennon headed wide from close range.

The Shrimpers reduced the deficit after 54 minutes with Brandon Goodship tapping home Humphrys’ right-wing cross at the far post.

But a fine individual effort from Hiram Boateng extended Dons’ lead after 82 minutes before Sam Nombe netted in stoppage time as Southend slumped to a sixth defeat in seven games.