For once, Dons defender Alan Bennett was not after a clean sheet, instead it was something much simpler – a smile.

And Benno and his team-mates got just that when they visited St George’s hospital in Tooting laden with Christmas presents for the youngsters in the children’s ward.

The pressures of League Two football and the small matter of an FA Cup clash with Liverpool were forgotten as presents were dished out, Sean Rigg was shot with a nerf gun and life was put into perspective.

Bennett said: “We wanted to do something for the kids in the children’s ward so we all chipped in cash.

“Callum [Kennedy] and I went to Argos in Feltham and bought about 55 presents – the staff there were great – then we got the U21s to wrap them up.

“It was great to spend time with the children, seeing them in hospital puts into the perspective the life of a footballer.

“When you’re getting stressed on the pitch, you realise there is more to life.”

He added: “If we managed to put a smile on just one face, then it was all worthwhile, and I think we did that. The lad who shot Sean [Rigg] with his new nerf gun seemed pleased enough.

“We spent time with the kids in the play room, and it is clear that the staff there are excellent and work so hard.”

Boss Neal Ardley said: “I cannot praise Benno enough for getting it organised.

“It’s a small thing that a football club can do to give something back to the community – that’s why we chose St George’s because it just round the corner from the site for the proposed new stadium.”