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.
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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 U’s have been handed a home draw with the Boro in their first FA Cup fixture of the season.
Oxford have not played in this round of the competition since 2023 when they were last in League One.
Aaron Ramsey’s side have faced Stevenage once already this season, winning 2-1 at the Broadhall Way in their second game of the league season.
The Yellows lie eighth in the table at the time of the draw and are set to face Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night at the Kassam Stadium.
Alex Revell’s Stevenage sit 12th in the table after a middling start to the season.
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Last season, Oxford reached the fourth round of the historic cup competition, beating MK Dons away on penalties when entering in the third round before losing 1-0 to Premier League side Sunderland at home in the fifth round.
The match will be Ramsey’s first in the competition as manager after winning the tournament three FA Cup titles with Arsenal as a player.
Oxford’s best run in the competition came in the 1963/64 season when they reached the quarter-finals, becoming the first ever Fourth Division club to do so.
Meanwhile, Oxford City are set to face former Premier League and FA Cup champions Leicester City at the MGroup Stadium.
Oxford United supporters travelling to the stadium for the match against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, October 20, are being told to allow extra time for their journeys due to ongoing works.
There are no changes to the usual travel arrangements, and no road closures are in place.
However, diversions will remain in place after the match on the roundabouts at Grenoble Road to help manage traffic flow.
Roadworks and temporary traffic lights on Watlington Road at the roundabout with Grenoble Road are causing significant delays.
Fans are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and allow extra time for their journey.
Away supporters are also advised to consider alternative routes to the stadium.
The club said: “Please plan your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling to and from the stadium.”
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.”
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.
“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?”
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