Oxford United recorded just their second win of the season as the U’s edged past MK Dons at Grenoble Road.
Matty Taylor opened the scoring after just six minutes but the U’s were quickly pegged back by Cameron Jerome.
Second-half goals from substitutes Sam Long and deadline day signing Mide Shodipo gave Oxford a two-goal advantage, before a late Ben Gladwin goal rounded off a 3-2 scoreline.
Your #oufc XI tonight: pic.twitter.com/RxjP0Fez9e
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) October 20, 2020
Karl Robinson made three changes from the side last lost at Peterborough at the weekend. Rob Atkinson returned from injury to partner Elliott Moore in defence with Long making way, while Alex Rodriguez Gorrin made his first start of the season in place of Liam Kelly. Marcus McGuane came in for Dan Agyei.
Simon Eastwood started in goal with Josh Ruffels and Sean Clare as the full-backs. Gorrin sat behind Anthony Forde and Mark Sykes, with Cameron Brannagan still out. McGuane and James Henry were the wide men, with Taylor again leading the line.
Joel Cooper returned to the bench despite playing 90 minutes in an U21 game earlier in the afternoon, where he scored twice, replacing Sam Winnall who picked up a hamstring strain.
The Dons started brightly and looked comfortable on the ball, but once the U’s got hold of it they punished the travelling side. Atkinson surged through midfield from the back and found McGuane out wide, and his delivery found Taylor lurking to slot home his 20th U’s goal.
However, the Dons replied just moments later. Similarly to the opener, the ball came down the visitors left and Jerome tapped home from close range.
The Dons came close to a second in a similar fashion. The ball came down the left again, but former U’s loanee Carlton Morris failed to convert.
Jerome saw a header sail wide as the visitors grew in confidence, but Oxford started to regain some possession after half an hour. Forde saw his long-range free-kick tipped over by Lee Nicholls.
The visitors would have been happy with their first-half display, but for the U’s, it was mixed emotions shortly after the break. Just nine minutes into the second half, Atkinson limped off and was replaced by Long. Then, just a couple of minutes later, the substitute headed in Forde’s free-kick to regain the hosts’ advantage.
McGuane shot wide and Sykes saw an effort cleared off the line as Robinson’s side pushed for a third.
Substitute Agyei then missed a wonderful opportunity. The goal was gaping but he took his time and George Williams was able to clear.
But it didn’t matter as moments later, debutant Shodipo whipped a stunner in off the post to score his first senior goal and give Oxford some breathing space.
Gladwin pulled one back in stoppage time but the U’s held on to secure just a second league win. Next up, Swindon Town.
