MK Dons and Cardiff City have headed into half time goalless in the all-Championship League Cup tie at Stadium MK.
The visitors registered the first attempt at goal in the second minute as Craig Noone gained possession in the final third and fired over the crossbar.
Cardiff had a golden opportunity to take the lead three minutes later when Eoin Doyle beat the offside trap and raced through on goal, only to be denied by the onrushing Cody Cropper in a one-on-one situation.
Doyle tried his luck again in the 17th minute, giving his marker the slip before being thwarted by an acrobatic save from American keeper Cropper.
Cardiff remained in the driving seat for the remainder of the first half, but were unable to find a way past the in-form Cropper, who pulled off saves to deny first Stuart O'Keefe and then Noone before the referee brought the half to a close.
