It was honours even at stadium:mk after both sides were controversially reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time.

Diego Arismendi and Alex Rae were both shown the red card by referee Oli Langford for tangling after the Dons midfielder had appeared to have fouled the Uruguayan.

But video replays later showed that neither player had really warranted a red card, and Gus Poyet will now consider appealing against the decision.

The game itself was a largely forgettable affair, as both sides made multiple changes. The Dons, ravaged by injury and suspension, had six new players in their line-up, while Poyet handed a debut to 18-year-old Lewis Dunk and experimented elsewhere with the Albion line-up.

Second-year scholar Dunk, who was this week offered a pro deal by the club, was totally unfazed by his surroundings. His brilliant last-gasp tackle to deny George Baldock late on was indicative of a display that belied his years.

The youngster's performance was all the more remarkable given this was his third game in five days, after run-outs for both the reserves and youth team in midweek.

Poyet also named schoolboy Jake Caskey on the bench, but the 16-year-old - who would have become the club's youngest-ever peacetime player - didn't make it onto the pitch.

The raft of changes on either side led to a disjointed first half, punctuated by the odd moment of excitement. Albion should have had a penalty when Chris Holroyd had his legs taken from under him by Luke Howell, but referee Langford waved play on.

Luke Chadwick then clipped the top of the crossbar with a rasping volley from 30 yards, and later Charlie Collins rattled the woodwork with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

But a tired first period sprang to life on the stroke of half-time when Arismendi and Rae clashed seconds after Langford had blown for half-time, and despite remonstrations from both players, the two sides would have to play the second half with ten men.

Naturally the game was more open after the break, but still chances were few and far between. Gavin Hoyte came close as he arrived at the far post to meet Lee Hendrie's clipped cross, but Stuart Searle saved well to his left.

Marcos Painter saw a header land on the roof of the net, while Tommy Elphick's shot was deflected just wide.

No doubt Dunk will remember this game for much longer than the 1800 Albion fans who made this final journey of the season.

MK Dons: (4-4-2) Searle; Howell, Darren Powell, Lewington, Davis; Daniel Powell (Baldock 81), Randall, Rae, Chicksen; Collins (Gobern 56), Chadwick. Subs not used: Flanagan, Williams, Milton.

Albion: (4-5-1) Brezovan; Hoyte, Dunk, Elphick, El-Abd (Painter 66); Bennett, Crofts, Arismendi, Hendrie (Dicker 59), Carole (Navarro 59); Holroyd. Subs not used: Walker (GK), Tunnicliffe, Barnes, Caskey.

Attendance: 12023 (1854 Albion).

Referee: Oli Langford.

Yellow Cards: Davis, Lewington (MK Dons); Crofts, Hoyte (Albion).

Red Cards: Rae (violent conduct); Arismendi (violent conduct).