United had to settle for a point in a well-fought clash against MK Dons at Brunton Park this evening.
Mark Hughes named an unchanged squad from Saturday’s win over Bromley.
MK Dons controlled the early stages of the contest and were rewarded with an early goal on 6 minutes as Joe Tomlinson turned home at the far post following a powerful low cross from Aaron Nemane on the right.
The visitors would threaten down that side again moments later following an error from Cameron Harper but luckily his teammates managed to recover.
On 23 minutes, Harper would deliver a brilliant cross from a deep free-kick on the left, however, no United player would look to attack the ball in what would’ve been a great chance to restore parity.
Three minutes later, it was Matthew Dennis who found the equaliser against the run of play. Archie Davies showed brilliant skill to beat his man down the right and his brilliant lofted delivery found the head of the former Dons’ man, who glanced the ball back across goal finding the corner superbly.
This gave the Blues confidence to immediately push for their second of the night and forced MK Dons to stand firm and ride the wave of attacks from the hosts.
Alex Gilbey should’ve regained his side’s lead at the opposite end moments later - the ball fell to the midfielder after an initial effort on goal was pushed away by Gabe Breeze, but Davies was there to clear off the line to keep the scoreline level.
MK Dons’ skipper would pounce on another defensive error from United on 37 minutes, this time by Davies, meaning the midfielder needed to only round shot-stopper Breeze and roll home into an empty net.
Deep into stoppage time at the end of the first-half, Kadeem Harris lifted a ball towards the far post for the arriving Jordan Jones, but United’s number 11 was unable to get the vital touch to turn the ball goalwards.
Referee Edward Duckworth waved play on following strong claims for a penalty inside the visitors’ penalty area, prior to Harris smashing home across goal to lift the roof off Brunton Park.
Jordan Jones then came agonisingly close to finding the top corner in exceptional fashion moments later in what would’ve been a quickfire double for Mark Hughes’ men, however, the sides entered the break with nothing between them.
HALF-TIME: United 2-2 MK Dons
The Cumbrians showed plenty of energy in the opening stages of the second 45 but were unable to find the lead for the first time in the game.
Jones had a fine chance on 57 minutes to create a great chance following a short corner - his delivery would ultimately go flying over all of his teammates and out for a goalkick.
Nemane - who got the assist for the Dons’ first of the night - looked to find Danilo Orsi shortly before the hour mark, but the ball fell just short of the forward and United cleared.
Ben Gladwin’s side would then look to start and take control. Substitute Liam Kelly looked to orchestrate a rapid attacking push, but once again Mark Hughes’ men managed to clear.
Following a lull of almost 20 minutes with little to no chances created by either side, Dan Crowley slipped in Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, whose effort was collected by Breeze.
On 86 minutes, Stephen Wearne’s headed attempt looped just over Connal Trueman’s crossbar following a great ball from Harper on the left.
Before Matthew Dennis had an unbelievable chance to nod home the winner in the dying embers, but the Blues’ cross from the right just evaded the attacker.
FULL-TIME: United 2-2 MK Dons
Teams:
United - Breeze, Davies, Thomas, Lavelle ©, Jones (87’ Bevan), Vela (77’ Kelly), Dennis, Wearne (87’ Guy), Harris, Whelan (87’ Fusire)
Unused subs - Lewis, Ellis, Embleton
MK Dons - Trueman, Gilbey ©, Crowley (88’ O’Reilly), Tomlinson, Nemane (73’ Leko), Offord, Orsi, Maguire, Lemonheigh-Evans, White (55’ Kelly), Sanders
Unused subs - MacGillivray, Tripp, Waller, Lewis-Burgess
Goals:
United - (26’ Dennis), (45+4’ Harris)
MK Dons - (6’ Tomlinson), (37’ Gilbey)
Yellow cards:
United - (3’ Vela)
MK Dons - (8’ Offord)
Red cards:
United - N/A
MK Dons - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Edward Duckworth
Assistant Referee - Paul Newhouse
Assistant Referee - Mark Cunliffe
Fourth Official - Jacob Graham
Attendance:
6,679 (134 away)
