MK DONS: Gueret; Doumbe, McCracken, Powell, Johnson, Carrington, Woodwards, Puncheon, Chadwick, Howell, Easter.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Haslam, Collins, Clark, Hartley; Fredriksen, Sweeney, Jones, Monkhouse; McSweeney, Behan. Subs: Austin, Boyd, Brown, Rowell, Foley, Thomas.

Referee: Keith Hill (Herts)

SUMMER signings Adam Boyd and Neil Austin missed out in Hartlepool United's opening game at MK Dons.

Austin only returned to training on Thursday, while Boyd was a suprise omission, believed to be left out by choice.

There was debuts for Scott Flinders in goal, Steve Haslam at right back, Peter Hartley at left back, Jon Andre Fredriksen in midfield, with Denis Behan and Leon McSweeney up front.

On the bench, Pools named six players - including youth team keeper Nick Thomas.

MK Dons included former Pools striker Jermaine Easter up front, with new non-contract signing Michael Bridges on the bench.