The U’s drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town last Thursday in a chaotic game which saw two Oxford players sent off.

Luka Lynch’s wonder goal from the edge of the box put the Yellows ahead before Peter Kioso was dismissed for an alleged dive in the second half resulting in a second yellow card.

Mansfield then equalised before Gatlin O’Donkor was sent off for a second yellow.

Oxford face strugglers Wigan Athletic, who sit bottom of the table, on Tuesday night as they look to extend their League One unbeaten run to six matches.

In his preview of the midweek fixture, Ramsey confirmed that Aidomo Emakhu is ready to play after his two-month long absence: “He’s available.

“Obviously we’ve got a decision to make now.

“But for me, I know we’ve got a real competitive squad. No problems with whoever comes in at all.”

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey gestures on the touchline (Image: Richard Parkes)

Emakhu’s return coincides with the suspension of fellow forward O’Donkor and comes at a good time for Oxford.

The chaos that ensued last week at the One Call Stadium was frustrating, with the U’s head coach disagreeing with the first red card decision.

Amongst all the controversy, Ramsey remained calm on the touchline, with his side going on to see out a draw with a resolute, nine-man defensive performance in the final stages.

When asked about his demeanour during games, the 35-year-old said: “My stance doesn’t change.

“I was obviously very frustrated. That decision ultimately cost us the game really.

“The decision has been made. What are you going to do? Just rile yourself up for no particular reason?

“I want my team to still be in control of the situation, even though there’s a lot of chaos going on around. Because there’s still a job to be done at the end of the day.

“There are a lot of distractions on the pitch and frustrations and things like that. For me, you have to remain calm in those situations.

Peter Kioso reacts to being sent off against Mansfield (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Otherwise, things just spiral out of control.

“Of course, we’re all frustrated, for sure. But you have to still do a job in those moments and try and have that blue head in those really heated periods in games.

“For me, there will be a moment as well where something has to be done and there will be some different reactions. But in general, I want us to be in control of what we do.

“Some moments in the game that are required where you need your full concentration.

“What good is that if you’re still complaining about things?”

The winger opened the scoring in Oxford’s 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town on Thursday with a beautiful curling effort which found the top corner in his first League One start.

The U’s went on to see two men sent off after Lynch was substituted in the 59th minute, Peter Kioso receiving a controversial second yellow before Michael Smith’s equaliser for the Stags.

Gatling O’Donkor then saw yellow for a second time, receiving a red card for a late sliding challenge whilst already on a booking.

Aaron Ramsey’s side then fought valiantly to fend off a late flurry of Mansfield attacks to gain an important point at the One Call Stadium.

Oxford United celebrate Luka Lynch’s opener against Mansfield (Image: Richard Parkes)

After scoring his first ever goal in professional senior football, Lynch said: “It’s a great first goal for the club.

“That’s what I’m here for, to produce those type of moments. I’m glad I was able to execute it.

“I’m buzzing for myself. Like you said, it would have been great if it was the winning goal, but I’m glad the team was able to dig through and come away from the game with it as well.

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“I want to make the biggest impact I can possible within the team. Help them do well in the league, push for promotion, those type of things.

“I’ve just got to play my part and keep delivering like I have been.”

Luka Lynch lines up a shot for Oxford United (Image: Richard Parkes)

Lynch has bagged three assists and a goal in his first five Yellows appearances, making an impact almost every time he has stepped onto the pitch.

Not only was the state of the game on Thursday a new experience for head coach Ramsey, it was a new and chaotic spectacle for the young winger to witness from the dugout after his withdrawal.

Immediate thoughts after a frankly bizarre game as #OxfordUnited find a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with Mansfield 💭 More on the refereeing decisions and performance here 👇 #oufc https://t.co/a8zBKwAWA5

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) October 15, 2026

“The game got a bit wild towards the end. I couldn’t really see too much because everyone was stood up. It was getting a bit crazy on the sidelines.

“It was a crazy game…a good game though. I think both teams turned up and played well.

Luka Lynch is brought down on the edge of the box (Image: Richard Parkes)

“It was a proper fight. I’m just happy to come away with a result.”

Oxford have tough competition in wide areas with the emergence of Mo Missanga, the impacts of Lynch and Siriki Dembele coupled with the near returns of Aidomo Emakhu and Jeon Jin-woo from injury.

Oxford United winger Luka Lynch is on loan from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

When asked if he was sending Ramsey a message with his performances, 19-year-old Lynch replied: “I guess you could say that.

“When I play, I’m just in the zone. I don’t really think too much.

“I trust my ability. I know what I’m here to do.”

Referee Thomas Parsons dished out two red cards as Oxford drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town on Thursday night.

Parsons handed second yellow cards to Peter Kioso and Gatlin O’Donkor, Mansfield’s equaliser through Michael Smith coming after the former’s dismissal.

The Stags goal and the duo of red cards all came within nine minutes, the U’s holding firm to see out a point with nine men.

It came after United had taken the lead in the first half through a sweet strike from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch.

Speaking after the match, U’s head coach Ramsey aired his thoughts: “My immediate feeling is I’m super proud of the players, the way they finished that game.

“We went down to eight men for a minute (after a knock for Brodie Spencer) which seemed forever.

Peter Kioso reacts to being sent off against Mansfield (Image: Richard Parkes)

“But for us to dig in and to show that togetherness, staying connected as a team, defending the box, bodies on the line, I couldn’t have asked for any more.

“I was super, super proud of them tonight.”

Kioso’s sending off caused outrage among Oxford affiliates, the referee judging the right back to have dived as he went down under contact in Mansfield’s penalty area.

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Ramsey continued: “I disagree with the decision.

“For me, there’s certainly contact in the area there.

Peter Kioso goes down in the box before being sent off (Image: Richard Parkes)

“And, I mean, for the ref then to go ahead and to book him as well, in my opinion, there’s no way PK has dived there.

“So, of course, a big moment in the game where I thought it should have been a penalty.”

For the second red card, O’Donkor received a soft first yellow before making a clumsy challenge to leave the referee with no choice but to show another.

“The first one, I believe it wasn’t a yellow card. And then the second one, it is what it is.”

The hosts’ eventual goal came from a Jamie Cumming mistake, the goalkeeper unable to deal with a cross which was then bundled into the net by Smith.

Despite the error, Ramsey had no ill feelings: “No frustration at all.

“Things happen on the football pitch, but it’s the way that we respond to these things.

“And, like I said, everybody was digging in for each other.

Michael Smith finds an equaliser for Mansfield Town against Oxford (Image: Richard Parkes)

“A couple of players sent off, but I didn’t see that affecting us to accept the defeat, if you like.

“I saw a team that were fighting right until the end to come away with it with something.”

Two league away fixtures in a row have resulted in four points from six, with the U’s now five unbeaten in League One ahead of three consecutive home clashes, starting with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.