Oxford United have lost their first game in 18 after a narrow defeat at League One strugglers MK Dons.
The U’s fielded a strong side despite key players missing through injury but were unable to breakdown the Dons’ defence as the hosts secured a first league win in thirteen.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/U3xfXilQc3
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 14, 2019
Karl Robinson made two changes from the side that drew at Shrewsbury last time out, with Alex Rodriguez Gorrin coming back after missing last week through suspension, and there was a welcome return for Cameron Brannagan who has missed seven weeks through injury.
Jordan Archer remained in goal, with a back four of Josh Ruffels John Mousinho, Rob Dickie and Chris Cadden.
Gorrin sat in front of the defence behind Brannagan and Mark Sykes, with Tariqe Fosu and Rob Hall as the wingers while Matty Taylor was leading the line.
The U’s came close inside two minutes when Cadden forced a corner. Brannagan almost found Dickie but the hosts cleared and it was probably the best chance of a poor first half.
Unusually, Robinson’s side sat off their opponents and the game struggled to gain any tempo. The tactics were that the U’s would try and hit them on the counter, but they were unable to create any meaningful attacks.
Archer saw a 20-yard effort from Joe Mason sail wide, before Dean Lewington fired a free-kick over just before the half time.
The break was needed and the U’s came out and played a higher line but remained unable to create any clear opportunities.
Then, on the half-hour mark, Dons scored just their sixth league goal in eight games when Mason fired in from twelve yards after a fortunate deflection allowed the ball to fall to him.
Nearly 3,000 fans backed the U’s, and they felt their side should have been awarded a penalty when Brannagan saw an effort blocked, but Trevor Kettle didn’t award the spot-kick.
Dons had chances on the break as United committed men forward but were unable to double their lead.
Substitute David Kasumu broke through in stoppage time, but Baptiste got away with a nudge in the box which saw him lose his footing.
Dons held out to secure a vital win, while Oxford drop one place to 8th but are just one point off the playoffs as they prepare to take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
