Milton Keynes Dons have suffered back-to-back defeats, courtesy of a narrow 1-0 loss in their home opener against Sheffield Wednesday.
The Dons made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 away to Cambridge United last weekend, with Daniel Oyegoke, Bradley Johnson, Louie Barry, and Ethan Robson coming in to replace Josh McEachran, Henry Lawrence, Dan Kemp and Conor Grant.
The visitors were on the offensive immediately, getting a ball deep into the box for Barry Bannan to strike – with Dean Lewington, fortunately, putting in a crucial block to prevent early disaster for the Dons.
Wednesday controlled the early portion of the match, putting the ball forward and causing problems in the Dons penalty area, before Daniel Oyegoke earned his side's first shot of the game in the 14th minute - sending a long-range effort over David Stockdale's bar.
Moments later and Will Grigg's pressing almost saw the Dons slip the ball into the net thanks to an awkward bounce that trickled just away from the goal-line before the Wednesday defence recovered.
The near-miss gave the Dons some confidence and they began to build attacking movements deeper into the visitors' half, with Grigg trying to get a couple of shots away - only for last-ditch blocks to keep the danger at bay.
Just as the Dons’ luck looked to have been turning, Lewington gave away a penalty in the 20th minute of the game, despite the foul appearing to occur just outside the area, with Josh Windass sending Jamie Cumming the wrong way and opening the scoring for the visitors.
Wednesday were forced into making an early change, with Akin Famewo being helped off after getting hurt during a Dons attacking spell, which saw the home side unable to find a shot on goal with bodies deep in the penalty box.
The Dons were fortunate as Windass beat the offside trap, with Jack Tucker just managing to get back and clear the ball away. Ethan Robson then put in a stellar tackle to prevent the visitors from regaining possession, allowing the Dons to earn a corner at the other end.
It was injury disappointment for the Dons with five minutes to go until half-time as Grigg appeared to tweak something while chasing down a through ball and was subbed off for Matt Dennis, heading straight down the tunnel.
Cumming was forced into making a phenomenal save in added time of the first half, as Daniel Oyegoke was beaten just outside the penalty area – allowing Dele-Bashiru the chance to get a shot off almost unchallenged.
Cumming held firm and was able to put two strong palms in the way of the shot, pushing the ball just over the bar. The ensuing corner came to nothing and the referee blew the whistle, allowing the home side to go into the break still within one goal.
The Dons kicked off in the second half and immediately tried to make something, with Matt Smith whipping a ball into the box and finding an open header, but it wasn't strong enough and trickled into the arms of Stockdale.
Moments later and Jack Hunt came close to extending Wednesday's lead, with his edge-of-the-box effort taking a deflection and narrowly going wide of Cumming's far post.
It was another injury concern for the Dons that saw Nathan Holland subbed in the 53rd minute, being replaced by Dan Kemp.
The atmosphere at Stadium MK changed after Smith and Lewington both came close to tying things up. The Welsh midfielder struck a clean volley inside the box, forcing Stockdale into making a superb diving save.
The ball fell to Lewington on the edge of the box, with the Dons captain striking the ball firmly, seeing it blocked close to the goal line and out for a goal kick.
The Dons, growing more and more confident as the second half progressed, came close once again, this time with Smith providing the perfect through ball to substitute Dan Kemp, who slotted a shot but not with enough strength, seeing Stockdale stop it low and close to the goal line once again.
As time wound down in regulation, the Dons continued to push forward, desperately seeking an equaliser.
With eight minutes of time added on, Sheffield Wednesday attempted to extend their lead with three long-range efforts. Two of them were blocked before Cumming made a strong save, ensuring the scoreline remained close.
Despite their valiant efforts to fight their way back into the game, it just wasn't enough and the visitors left Stadium MK with all three points.
It's the first time since the 2017/18 season that the Dons have lost the opening two games of a season, which will be a great disappointment to all involved at the club. However, there were plenty of bright sparks that the team can build from and look to mount a stronger challenge as the season rolls on.
MK Dons Line-Up: Cumming, Oyegoke, O'Hora, Tucker, Lewington, Johnson, Robson (80' Grant), Smith, Barry (80' Burns), Holland (53' Kemp), Grigg (40' Dennis)
