A powerful last-gasp driving run and shot from Stevenage's highly-rated Luther James-Wildin narrowly failed to give battling Boro as share of the spoils in an entertaining 3-2 defeat against Milton Keynes in the EFL Trophy.

As the rain sheeted down at the Lamex on Tuesday evening, James-Wildin's surging run and shot was denied by MK keeper Laurie Walker, as the visitors hung on for the win.

In an open match, Alex Revell's side pulled back a two-goal deficit, through an own goal from Louis Thompson and a second half strike Inih Effiong - after goals from Carlton Morris and Jay Bird on his first team debut, put Russell Martin's side ahead.

That was before an outstanding strike from Bird - who made it two for the night after moving up from the U23s to first team action - saw MK grab three points and top spot in Southern Group C.

Boss Revell made six changes from the side that lost 1-0 at home to Salford City at the weekend, with keeper Billy Johnson and academy starlet Mackye-Townsend West making their debuts.

Ben Coker returned from injury to make his first appearance since the first game of the season against Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup, while Romain Vincelot, Effiong, Femi Akinwande and Jack Smith also returned to the starting XI.

MK made nine changes from the Sky Bet League One match against Ipswich Town with Lasse Sorensen and Callum Brittain keeping their places in the line-up.

In his first game for Boro, 20-year-old Johnson, signed from Norwich, looked alert throughout the opening half hour, making a fine save on 32 minutes to prevent Stoke City loanee Sorensen from finding the bottom corner.

The resulting corner was sent towards the back-post by Sorenson, who picked out the unmarked Warren O'Hora, whose close range header was saved by Johnson. But to the keeper's evident displeasure, the rebound fell into the path of early substitute, Morris, who converted from close range to make it 1-0 to MK.

The lead was doubled five minutes later when debutant Bird opened his MK account.

Brittain started the move off with a sweeping pass into the path of Morris, who drilled the ball across goal. Johnson denied Sorensen with an excellent block, but the predatory Bird swooped to slam home his first professional goal to make it 2-0.

Boro refused to give in, and rallied to equalise through Thompson's own goal following a spell of concerted pressure, to make it 2-1 moments before half time.

Stevenage came out after the interval energised, and levelled through the lively Effiong - who had troubled the MK backline all night - on 65 minutes.

The 29-year-old journeyman who has played for more than ten clubs, including a spell at Hitchin Town earlier in his career, was rewarded for his industry and effort, when his powerful run was ended by Jordan Houghton in the box, giving referee Carl Brook no option but to award a spot-kick.

The bustling striker then slotted him emphatically to make the score 2-2 sending Walker the wrong way.

Just as Boro were gearing up for a final onslaught against MK, in a bid to repeat their late 2-1 victory over Southampton U21 in the EFL Trophy last month, the visitors' Bird swooped to clinch the points.

With such wholehearted effort form his men, Revell could take positives from the late defeat, with the torrential weather far more miserable than the Boro supremo should be after his side's commitment in difficult conditions.