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.

Jack Currie on the ball in the opening League One fixture (Image: Oxford United)

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.

Siriki Dembele (right) battles for the ball against MK Dons (Image: Oxford United)

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