Oxford united FC
Oxford United steal late League One point in MK Dons draw
Ciaron Brown’s 95th-minute strike saw Aaron Ramsey’s side claw a point from the visitors.
Oxford had opened the scoring thanks to Mark Harris, before a first-half turnaround saw Charlie Goode and Aaron Collins put the Dons on top.
Late relief then for Ramsey who avoided a second competitive defeat in a row.
It was a scrappy start to proceedings, the Dons’ pressure forcing the Yellows back early as the hosts tried to calm play but with little success.
The U’s saw a first effort of the game come from Tyler Goodrham whose shot was deflected and easily caught by Craig MacGillivrey.
Ramsey’s men took their chance shortly after, opening the scoring through Harris.
Siriki Dembele’s shot hit a defender but the Dons were unable to clear the danger as the ball fell perfectly in front of the Welsh striker in the box who fired home the first goal of the season.
It was not long before the Dons came back swinging.
A duo of fierce efforts from Ryan Wintle and Curtis Nelson were blocked by Yellow bodies, but a ball back in found the equaliser.
READ MORE: Oxford United chairman adresses ‘challenges’ in statement update
READ MORE: Stan Mills chose not to play for Oxford United amid Preston transfer
Goode who looped a header over Jamie Cumming, the hosts failing to deal with as the ball crossed the line.
MK maintained their momentum, Wintle forcing a save from Cumming with a bending effort.
Just five minutes later the visitors took the lead with Siriki Dembele giving the ball away under pressure in his own box.
The Dons then whipped a wicked ball in with Collins there to head home.
Cohen Bramall troubled Cumming with a bouncing free kick before volleying well wide from range.
The visitors began the second half well, Collins seeing a header bounces wide early on.
Oxford eventually got forward again, Brodie Spencer doing well to meet Aidomo Emakhu’s cross but it was a simple catch for the goalkeeper.
The game began to open up, Collins heading onto the post before Dembele fired over.
Daniel Barlaser hit the side-netting which preceded controversy as Gatlin O’Donkor was fouled badly, the referee blowing his whistle early whilst Harris was through on goal.
With the clock running down, United piled on the pressure, substitute Mo Missanga looking bright whilst Harris and Brannagan put efforts just off target.
Missanag and Emakhu both hit shots at more Dons defenders before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing squandered a counter-attacking opportunity when clean through on goal.
The game was not done there; O’Donkor’s late ball across finding Brown who stabbed home a dramatic leveller in front of the Yellows faithful.
Yellows: Cumming, Spencer (Kioso 77), Long, Brown, Currie, McDonnell (O’Donkor 64), Brannagan, Emakhu, Goodrham, Dembele (Missanga 78), Harris
Dons: MacGillivrey, Jones, Barlaser (Matete 74), Goode (Sanders 78), Nombe (Paterson 74), Collins (Mendez-Laing 69), Bramall, Ekpiteta, Wintle, Wiles, Nelson
Bookings: Brannagan; Ekpiteta, Goode, Matete
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
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But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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