League Two: Colchester United 1-0 MK Dons

A Jack Payne penalty deep into second-half stoppage time would resign MK Dons to a losing start to 2026 on the road at Colchester United.

In a game which did not deserve a winner, ex-Dons loanee Payne would lash the ball down the middle after substitute Connor Lemonheigh-Evans fouled in the box, handing the U’s a 1-0 win.

The result drops Dons to sixth in League Two, three points off the automatic promotion places and eight behind leaders Bromley.

For the second time this season, Alex Gilbey missed a reunion against his former club as he was tactically rested for the clash at Colchester, handing Dan Crowley only his fifth league start of the season. Kane Thompson-Sommers and Aaron Nemane were both substituted at half-time against Notts County three days prior, and both came out of the side for the trip to Essex as Gethin Jones and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy were handed starts in their stead.

Jacks Tucker and Payne, both formerly of Dons, line-up for the home side.

The game between the sides two months prior, in the FA Cup first round, was an exciting five-goal clash which saw Dons twice come from behind to book their spot in the second round draw. But the curtain raiser for 2026, certainly in the first-half, had none of that same swashbuckling action.

While neither side looked bad, they simply could not carve themselves a decent chance to open the scoring.

As close as either came was a poor cross from Samson Tovide which looped towards goal, forcing Craig MacGillivray to flap it away, while at the other end, Jon Mellish swiped Gethin Jones’ deep cross wide of the mark.

It was a similar tale in the second-half too, though a triple substitution on the hour-mark gave Dons a bit more of a foothold, particularly in midfield as the introduction of Scott Hogan, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Kane Thompson-Sommers added some bite.

The chances at both ends though would be fleeting. Arthur Read saw an effort cleared off the line by Jack Sanders, while Hepburn-Murphy should have scored when he capitalised on a poor back-pass but could not round Macey.

With the game destined for a goal-less draw, Lemonheigh-Evans would be adjudged to have fouled in the box two minutes into time added on, with former Dons loanee Jack Payne lashing the ball home to win it for the home side.

Referee: Stephen Parkinson

Attendance: 6,404 (487)

Colchester United: Macey, Iandolo, Tucker, Bishop (Hunt 20), Tovide (Lisbie 64), Payne, Read, Goodwin (Mbick 64), Edwards (Terry 90), Araujo, Vincent-Young

Subs not used: Smith, Gape, Williams

MK Dons: MacGillivray, Offord, Sanders, Ekpiteta (Nemane 83), Jones, Mellish, Kelly, Crowley (Lemonehigh-Evans 60), Collins (Thompson-Sommers 60), Hepburn-Murphy (Leko 87), Paterson (Hogan 60)

Subs not used: Trueman, Tripp

Booked: Offord, Leko