Oxford hold their nerve to defeat MK Dons on penalties in FA Cup third round

Oxford are through to the FA Cup fourth round after beating MK Dons on penalties at Stadium MK.

The game finished 1-1 after extra-time, after Aaron Collins put the Dons ahead before Will Lanskhear equalised for the visitors.

With no winner in the extra period, it meant penalties and misses by Jonathan Leko and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans won the tie for the Sky Bet Championship side.

The result means Oxford reach round four for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

One noteworthy spectator was Matt Bloomfield, who was announced as Oxford head coach a few hours before kick-off. He watched on with interim boss Craig Short taking charge.

MK Dons had early chances, with Scott Hogan having a shot deflected wide before U’s goalkeeper Matt Ingram denied Hogan and Dons debutant Ben Wiles.

Oxford’s Stanley Mills saw one effort go over and another denied by home keeper Craig MacGillivray.

In the 34th minute, the Dons took the lead. Collins bundled the ball in from close range after Oxford failed to clear Dan Crowley’s corner.

Collins nearly doubled his tally a few moments later when thwarted by Ingram in a one-on-one. The Oxford keeper then denied Aaron Nemane just after half-time.

Oxford would grab a 52nd-minute equaliser as their top scorer Lanskhear rifled home when the hosts failed to clear Will Vaulks’ long throw.

Ingram kept out attempts from Collins and Jack Sanders, with the home goalscorer then heading over from close range.

MacGillivray made a big save to deny Ole Romenji just before the end of regular time, and then further saves in extra-time to deny Brian De Keersmaecker and Myles Peart-Harris.

Penalties would decide the contest, and MK Dons would ultimately be the fall guys. Leko missed their second penalty before Ingram’s save from Lemonheigh-Evans clinched victory for Oxford.