Stoppage time equaliser snatches victory from Dons

Elliot Lee's 97th minute equaliser broke Dons' hearts as MK Dons and Oxford United shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Stadium MK.

After a breathless start from the visitors, Andrew Surman fired Dons ahead on 14 minutes and for long periods, it looked as though it was going to be enough for Russell Martin's side to claim a win and draw level on points with the U's.

But deep into stoppage time, Lee got on the end of a header back across goal to nod in from close range for a share of the spoils as Dons remain 14th.

Following their poor showing in midweek against Shrewsbury, Russell Martin brought in four of his five substitutes to start the game against Oxford. Charlie Brown was handed his first start after scoring in his two previous substitute appearances, while Joe Mason, Daniel Harvie and Scott Fraser all came back into the team as Zak Jules, Ben Gladwin, Will Grigg and Cameron Jerome all dropped to the bench.

After conceding early in five of their last eight outings, there was little surprise when Oxford started with an intensity and relentlessness, closing down Andrew Fisher and the back three. But despite a few hearts-in-mouths touches, Dons navigated the Oxford threat well in the opening stages. Although the visitors tried to hem Dons into their own third though, when Dons were able to break forward, they did so brilliantly to take the lead on 14 minutes as Andrew Surman started and finished a move to curl home from the edge of the box.

As Dons tried to take the tempo out of the game thereafter as Oxford's press began to tire, though Elliot Lee had their best chance but his volley was easily dealt with by Fisher.

After shaky performances in the week though, Surman and Harry Darling in particular were unflappable for the home side as both read the game brilliantly, denying Oxford any real threat in front of goal.

It would continue to be the story in the second period too, with Oxford struggling to keep up their energy levels, allowing Dons to play their game. Ethan Laird was having a lot of joy on the Dons right, but chances were still at a premium for both Mason and Brown – though both would make way just after the hour for Will Grigg and Cameron Jerome.

Oxford came close when Matty Taylor closed down Andrew Fisher in the six-yard box, but it was his replacement Dan Agyei who would cause Dons problems in the closing stages.

After firing just wide, he then skipped past Fisher to draw the keeper into a foul just outside the box. The keeper then made amends with a good stop to deny the striker, while Anthony Forde's bobbling effort clipped the base of the post.

As Oxford chucked the kitchen sink at the hosts, it looked as though a Dons were going to hang on but in the seventh minute of injury time, Lee got on the end of a header back across goal to snatch a point.

Referee: James Oldham

MK Dons: Fisher, Lewington, O'Hora, Darling, Laird, Harvie (Jules 46), Surman (Houghton 62), O'Riley, Fraser (Gladwin 85), Mason (Grigg 62), Brown (Jerome 62)

Subs not used: Nicholls, Sorinola

Oxford United: Stevens, Ruffels, Moore, Rodriguez (Forde 88), Brannagan, Taylor (Agyei 71), Long, Atkinson, Shodipo (Henry 71), Lee, Barker (Winnall 71 (Sykes 78))

Subs not used: Eastwood, Grayson