Hatters include Blackman and Karagiannis in MK Dons defeat

Hatters gave starts to Mark O’Brien, Dan Potts and former Dons winger Ryan Hall, while they also included trialists Andre Blackman and Vasileios Karagiannis in their side.

Blackman, 25, spent time at Arsenal, Spurs and Portsmouth as a youth player, before moving to Bristol City.

He has had stints with AFC Wimbledon, Celtic, Inverness, Plymouth, Dover, Maidenhead and most recently Blackpool, released in the summer.

Karagiannis is flying this year too, with 15 goals in 23 games so far, including a hat-trick inside 36 minutes against Lewes recently

After an even opening 10 minutes, it was the home side who started to take control, with Dan Potts’ last-ditch challenge denying Kabongo Tshimanga following a quick break involving Samir Carruthers and Rob Hall.

Carruthers saw his curling 20-yarder well saved by Craig King, before Luton’s first opportunity seeing James Justin, who recently signed his first pro contract, shoot wide.

Rob Hall turn fired wide of the post as Hatters had a real chance before the interval, with Curtley William’s header crashing against the post.

In the second period, Dons were ahead almost immediately as Rob Hall’s free kick was glanced beyond King by Tom Hitchcock, while it was 2-0 moments later as Rob Hall turned from provider to scorer, curling home a fine 20-yard finish.

Tshimanga extended the hosts’ advantage with just over 25 minutes remaining, expertly chipping the ball over King following a clever interchange with Hitchcock.

Dons threatened a fourth, as Rob Hall flashed off target, but Luton then produce a late fight back that almost saw them claim a share of the spoils.

First, substitute Frankie Musonda, another who was made a professional last week, directed a powerful effort past Charlie Burns.

Hatters had a second in the closing stages through Zane Banton’s fine finish but Andy Awford’s side couldn’t find a third.

Hatters: Craig King, Curtley Williams, Andre Blackman, James Justin, Mark O’Brien, Dan Potts, Vasileios Karagiannis, Jake Howells, Zane Banton, Rob Hall, Alex Atkinson.