EVEN when it is nearly the end of the season and there is little to play for, at least in terms of league positions, football can play havoc with the emotions.

An otherwise instantly dimissable match will be remembered forever, for very different reasons, by Lewis Dunk and Diego Arismendi.

No pro forgets his first team debut. Dunk certainly won't, especially as he had only become a pro two days earlier.

Gus Poyet could not have chosen more appropriate opposition for blooding the 18-year-old centre-half – in more ways than one.

Dons, ravaged by injuries and suspensions, played with teenager Charlie Collins as a lone striker, so it was a nice and gentle introduction.

That is just as well, considering it was Dunk’s third game in five days after playing for both the reserve and youth teams.

Albion also, in a roundabout sense, owe a debt of gratitude to the club often disaparagingly dubbed ‘Franchise FC’ for Dunk’s presence in their ranks.

“I was at Wimbledon from when I was tiny until they moved to Milton Keynes,” he explained. “I live in Brighton so it was too far to travel.

“They had to release quite a few players and Martin Hinshelwood (director of youth) rang me up and said Brighton would like to sign me.”

Dunk is from solid footballing stock. Dad Mark was a midfielder for countless non-League Sussex clubs in the days when I was covering the likes of Worthing and Whitehawk and both of us had black hair!

It was a proud day for Dunk senior and other members of the family. His 6ft 3ins son took his promotion in his stride with a flawless performance.

There is a strong possibility that Albion have got themselves another home-grown centre-half for the future.

Poyet, without getting carried away, thinks so. “The first game I saw him was in the FA Youth Cup at home to Everton,” he said. “I had on my piece of paper different names and numbers and I went home thinking he was probably the best.

“You go to the next game to have a look at him, then you invite him to train with you to see how he does and then you see him in the reserves.

“He has been playing as a central midfielder and you see he has got some qualities. Of course, he has plenty to learn and plenty to improve, but it was the perfect time to give him a game.

“It was not a difficult game for a centre-half but at the same time you need to stand up and perform. He was very comfortable on the ball and did his job very well so I am very pleased for him.”

Pleased for Dunk but so upset for Arismendi. Poyet’s fellow Uruguayan has endured a pretty torrid time since moving to England last summer to join Stoke.

A lack of first team opportunities in the Potteries and a red card in the reserves for a head-butt have been compounded by difficulties grasping the English language and complaints from a flat neighbour about late-night music, which made a national newspaper.

Arismendi’s loan move was immediately handicapped by a persistent thigh injury sustained in training, while his girlfriend has gone back to Uruguay.

Just when the 22-year-old thought things could only get better, his fourth and most promising start for Albion was cruelly cut short by an unwarranted dismissal.

Arismendi almost converted a corner at the near post on the stroke of half-time before becoming embroiled in a bit of a wrestling match with Alex Rae.

It was handbags really, demanding a common sense response from referee Oliver Langford rather than a couple of red cards.

What made it worse for Arismendi was that Langford had blown for half-time and he was already heading for the dressing room when he was summoned back to receive his punishment.

He was a picture of disbelieving desolation, completely inconsolable. Justice must surely prevail with a successful appeal.

Poyet said: “There was nothing, apart from two players trying to get away from each other. There was no punch, push, elbow or head-butt, absolutely nothing.

“I feel very sorry for Diego, because he didn’t deserve it. He is trying to play games and now he has got a red card. It’s a little bit hard to take, because Diego doesn’t deserve it. To send two players off, mama mia!”

As for the match itself, it really is not worth dwelling on. The other main point of interest was Poyet’s sensible decision to restrict Ashley Barnes to the bench and keeping him there.

Why risk Plymouth hiking the asking price with another goalscoring contribution from the on-fire on-loan striker?

Albion (4-3-3): Brezovan; Hoyte, Elphick, Dunk, El-Abd (Painter 66); Crofts, Arismendi, Hendrie (Dicker 58); Bennett, Holroyd, Carole (Navarro 58). Subs not used: Tunnicliffe, Walker, Barnes, Caskey.

Red card: Arismendi (45) violent conduct.

Yellow cards: Crofts (86) foul, Hoyte (90) foul.

MK Dons (4-4-1-1): Searle; Howell, Darren Powell, Lewington, Davis; Daniel Powell (Baldock 81), Randall, Rae, Chicksen; Chadwick; Collins (Gobern 55). Subs not used: Flanagan, Williams, Milton.

Red card: Rae (45) violent conduct.

Yellow cards: Davis (36) foul, Darren Powell (63) foul, Lewington (69).