BEFORE, during and after the game the major talking point was Wimbledon's controversial franchise and subsequent move to join the concrete cows in Milton Keynes.

But the hot topic as far as Burnley were concerned was the controversy surrounding David May's sending off for his second yellow card - a decision which ultimately changed the game and forced the Clarets to shift from cruise control to neutral as the Dons got back on level terms.

Initially, Burnley boss Stan Ternent was adamant he didn't want to be drawn on the subject of referees and officials. But it would be hard for anyone to shy away from such a crucial factor in what had been an historic and entertaining game.

In referee Mark Warren's defence, May handled the ball just outside the area as Patrick Agyemang was trying to burst past him.

Whether it was deliberate or not is hard to say but, nevertheless, Mr Warren had no choice but to caution the former Manchester United and Blackburn defender.

However, May's initial yellow card shouldn't have been brandished in the first place.

It was merely a run of the mill challenge on Nigel Reo-Coker and his first of that ilk in the game. A word of warning would have sufficed, but May was shown yellow and left to walk a tightrope.

Infact, a tightrope wouldn't have been out of place as the National Hockey Stadium became a media circus and a platform for anyone who could get their hand on a microphone to get themselves noticed.

At one point before kick-off, I was half expecting the PA announcer to shout, 'hands up if you're from Milton Keynes, hands up if you're from Wimbledon'. Professional football had arrived in in MK and, boy, did we know it. But it was all starting to feel a little bit false.

At 3 o'clock, though, the hysteria calmed and it was down to proper business: football.

The Dons gave Burnley an early scare as they burst forward from the kick-off (delayed by 15 minutes while queuing fans got into the ground). Dean Holdsworth's 22-yard free kick struck the wall before Brian Jensen claimed a whipped in corner.

Albert Jarrett burst into the box after a surging run down the left. May dived at his feet before Andy Todd pushed the ball behind for a corner. Then Jobi McAnuff turned on the edge of the box but his tame shot rolled into Jensen's arms.

But Burnley had been quietly whiling away, waiting for their opportunity to pounce, building up to attacking moves with neat flowing football, keeping the ball to feet.

Impish assassin Robbie Blake didn't hold back as he lined up for a free kick 25 yards out following a foul on Ian Moore. His fierce drive took a wicked deflection, completely wrong-footing goalkeeper Paul Heald, and the ball dropped over the line.

Adam Nowland tried to match Blake's wicked set-piece when Moore fouled Jarrett wide on the left. The midfielder floated the ball into the area but McAnuff couldn't connect properly and shinned it wide of the right hand post. Andy Todd then bundled over Patrick Agyemang 20 yards out but Jarrett bent his free kick over the bar.

May picked up his first booking on the half-hour as the Dons enjoyed a little spell of pressure. Nowland's teasing cross bounced just in front of Agyemang and Mikele Leigertwood inside the area but Jensen reacted quickly to push it round the post.

Agyemang then ghosted past Todd, went into the box unchallenged and looked certain to score but drilled his shot into the side netting after Jensen had run out to narrow the angle.

But Burnley put Wimbledon firmly on the back foot with a clinical finish from Blake after another impressive build-up.

Dean West released Delroy Facey, who ran to the byeline before pulling the ball back. Blake struck it sweetly down the middle, and while it took a nick, the Clarets' leading goalscorer was always going to add to his tally.

Holdsworth should have reduced the gap for Wimbledon before the break but headed wide of the near post from Nowland's right-wing cross, while Agyemang made himself look a tad foolish as he attempted an ambitious overhead kick 10 yards out but completely missed the ball.

The Clarets were still well in control at the start of the second half despite the Dons looking more lively up front.

Two minutes after the restart, McAnuff's shot was blocked by Mo Camara after Holdsworth's effort had been turned away.

Facey went close to breaking his duck for Burnley after Camara burst down the left, but the Bolton loan man lost his footing.

Then disaster struck on 57 minutes as Burnley were reduced to 10 men. Holdsworth's header on for Agyemang struck May on the arm, he was the last man in defence and didn't wait to see what the referee was about to brandish as he trotted off the pitch.

But while Graham Branch replaced Blake, Burnley had no need to go on the defensive and Moore tried a long-range effort after turning one way, then the other before unleashing a 40-yard shot which sailed over the bar.

To their own script, however, the Dons boosted their party fever as Agyemang supplied Holdsworth with the chance to bury his right-foot volley and make it 2-1.

Five minutes later, Agyemang turned from provider to scorer to get Wimbledon back on level terms with a header after Nowland's shot was parried and McAnuff pumped the ball back into the box to send Milton Keynes into relative raptures at the National Hockey Stadium.

The earlier introduction of Michael Gordon for Jarrett had given the Dons impetus, but West kept a lid on him in the latter stages.

Burnley might have grabbed a late winner after Branch headed on Gareth Farrelly's corner but Wimbledon scrambled it clear.

WIMBLEDON 2

Holdsworth 66, Agyemang 71

BURNLEY 2

Blake 21, 37

National Hockey Stadium

Attendance: 5,639