Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 Bradford City

Afobe has scored nine goals since joining on loan from Arsenal

Benik Afobe was once again MK Dons' League Cup hero as he scored both goals in a third-round win over Bradford.

Afobe had also netted twice in the 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the previous round.

The Arsenal loanee had MK in front within five minutes with a brilliant turn and shot and then finished a one-on-one in the dying minutes.

Mason Bennett curled Bantams' best chance wide, while Kyle McFadzean hit the visitors' post in the second half.

Afobe, 21, now has nine goals since joining MK on loan from Arsenal in August, and is the competition's top scorer with five.

There were fewer fans in the stands than during the previous round against Manchester United

His pair of goals puts Karl Robinson's side into the fourth round for the first time at the expense of the 2013 runners-up, but they were rare highlights in a game that lacked the drama of that memorable night against United.

The home team, currently second in League One, had chances to make it more comfortable - and add to their 18 goals in their five previous games - with Jordan Spence firing wide before McFadzean's drilled 25-yard effort struck the woodwork and Ben Reeves failed to put in the rebound.

Bradford, who won 2-1 in a league encounter at Stadium MK a week ago, applied late pressure in search of an equaliser, but the closest they came was Jason Kennedy's back-post volley straight into the hands of David Martin.

And it was Dele Alli, who has been reportedly attracting attention from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who provided the through ball late on for Afobe to finish off the tie.

MK Dons assistant boss Richie Barker:

"We're not going to dictate every game for the next 40 games. It was about winning the game in a slightly different way.

"We progressed, kept a clean sheet and our centre forward scored two goals, so we can't ask any more.

"Benik has scored a lot of one-on-ones because of his pace, but the way he took his first goal was excellent. I didn't realise how good it was until I watched it the second time around.

"He's got everything. And to be fair to him and Will Grigg - who have rotated - every time one of them starts they end up scoring and it gives us a headache in terms of team selection."

Bradford City boss Phil Parkinson:

"We couldn't quite get the goal, but if you're going to lose a game of football, there's a way to do it and I thought the performance level was very good tonight.

"I thought all round we couldn't ask for much more.

"Afobe has taken his goals well and that's probably the difference on the night. Our approach play around the final third was very good. But we couldn't get the goal we needed even though I thought the momentum was with us in the second half."