MK Dons’ campaign in the EFL Trophy began with a 2-1 defeat by fellow League Two side Colchester United.

Stephen Wearne had put MK Dons in front, scoring the Dons’ first away goal in any competition so far this season, but goals either side of half-time by Anthony Scully and Fiacre Kelleher won the day for the home side.

Defeat was the Dons’ second in Essex this season, having lost at Colchester in the league in their first away game of the season last month.

The team chosen by Mike Williamson featured 8 changes from the one beaten by AFC Wimbledon in their previous game, with the match coming on a night when rumours emerged from multiple sources linking the Dons’ Head Coach with the vacancy at fellow League Two side Carlisle United.

The reshuffled Dons side included first starts for late signings Sonny Finch and Joe White, as well as a first appearance of the season for Brooklyn Ilunga after an injury absence.

MK Dons took the lead with 34 minutes on the clock, when a deep cross by Jack Tucker found Wearne to glance a header into the Colchester net.

But Colchester would equalise seven minutes later after the referee ruled Dean Lewington fouled Mandela Egbo and Scully scored the penalty.

Colchester then took the lead after the break when Kelleher beat Harness to the ball when a corner was flicked across the goalmouth, and the Colchester man was able to poke the ball home.

Home goalkeeper Tom Smith made saves to keep out efforts by Joe Tomlinson and Tommy Leigh but the home side would see the job through. Kelleher was denied by Harness late on, but it was the U’s who started their EFL Trophy campaign with the three points.

MK Dons’ next assignment in the competition will come on October 8th, when they welcome an Arsenal U21s side to Stadium MK.