MK Dons 2 - 1 Dag & Red

A SECOND half Jabo Ibehre brace took MK Dons into the second round of the Carling Cup as they came from a goal down to dump League One rivals Dagenham and Redbridge out of the competition.

Their place in the hat for the next round was gift wrapped by Daggers‚ defender Scott Doe whose horror pass back was snapped up and finished by Ibehre 11 minutes from time.

Ibehre, a substitute in Dons‚ opening League One win at Walsall, cancelled out Damien McCrory's first half opener shortly after the break.

The Dons‚ were out of sorts in the first 45 minutes and Ibehre's clinical touch allowed the home side to maintain their 100 per cent record against the Daggers and record their first home win since March, 9 at the same time.

A sluggish start was Daggers goalie Tony Roberts making an error early on, leaving Mark Arber to mop up at the back before Ibehre could muster a shot.

Yet, 13 minutes in Daggers found a deadly touch as McCrory stepped up to the right of the Dons‚ box and brilliantly curled his free-kick around the wall and beyond the helpless Martin.

Dons, a little shell shocked by their own poor start, went on the hunt for an equaliser with Lewington releasing Balanta down the flank, allowing the QPR-loanee to drag the a cross along the goal mouth but Jermaine Easter's back heel failed to connect.

The Dons‚ fluid movement, which fans had come to expect after a successful pre-season, was noticeably absent which resulted in boss Robinson barking orders from the touchline midway through the first half.

Adding to the home side‚s frustration was the sight of Pele limping off shortly after the half-hour mark leaving Robinson to reshuffle the back line with Lewington moving inside and Adam Chicksen slotting in at fullback.

Inevitably, the Dons picked up the pace and applied pressure when a Peter Leven corner failed to be cleared before Balanta's cross was nodded directly at an untroubled Roberts.

After the break Robinson's men showed more hunger and desire, with Lewington heading Leven's corner inches wide before Easter was denied by a very late offside decision.

Easter appeared to have rolled on the shoulder of Scott Doe to head home whizz kid Balanta's accurate cross but there were puzzled expressions on the field and in the dug out and stands as the goal was ruled out.

However, the goal they had been hunting for came less than five minutes later when Ibehre timed his run to perfection to latch on to Easter‚s ball and fire through the legs of Roberts to level the score.

Play became a touch erratic as both sides were keen to find a winner, Roberts became the villain following a high foot in to the body of Ibehre, while Luke Chadwick‚s 54th minute introduction was pivotal part of a resurgent Dons.

Robinson‚s last throw of the dice came 15 minutes from time by introducing a third striker in the form of Sam Baldock.

Confusion at the back could have allowed Daggers sub Peter Gain a moment of glory as the Dons‚ goal was wide open but a rash effort fell well off target.

And it was an error from Dagenham‚s defence that allowed the Dons to seal a spot in the second round.

Doe cut a shattered figure as Ibehre picked off his lazy pass back to emphatically ensure the Dons return to Carling Cup action in the week commencing August, 32.

MK DONS: Martin, Lewington (c), Easter, Balanta, Carrington, Guy (Chadwick 54), Woodards, Ibehre, Pele (Chicksen 31), Howell (Baldock 76), Leven.

Goals: Ibehre 56, 79

DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE: Roberts, McCrory, Doe, Arber (c), Nurse, Scott (Scannell 70), Benson (Walsh 70), Currie (Gain 70), Ogogo, Vincelot, Lewis.

Goal: McCrory 13

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey)