Milton Keynes Dons 1-1 (3-4 Pen) Oxford United Player Ratings: U's Triumph in Tense Penalty Shootout After 1-1 Draw

A classic FA Cup encounter at Stadium MK witnessed intense drama and action! From the opening minute, both Milton Keynes Dons and Oxford United threw everything into this thrilling Round 3 clash. MK Dons struck first through the ever-dangerous A. Collins strike, who troubled the Oxford defence relentlessly in the first half. But the U’s showed immense resilience, with Will Lankshear equalising after the break to keep the game alive.

The remainder of regular time and extra time was a tense, tactical battle, with both sides creating chances but unable to break the deadlock. It ultimately came down to the lottery of penalties, where Oxford United held their nerve to triumph 4-3 after a 1-1 draw. It was an evenly contested game, highlighting MK Dons’ dominance in possession and shots, while Oxford’s clinical finishing proved decisive in the shootout.

Here are Sportsdunia’s Milton Keynes Dons vs Oxford United player ratings from this dramatic FA Cup tie.

Key Takeaways

• The teams finished 1–1 after normal play, with MK Dons’ Aaron Collins scoring first and Oxford’s Will Lankshear equalising, reflecting a balanced 90‑minute battle before penalties.

• Oxford had more possession (61% vs 39%) and more total shots (18 vs 13) — suggesting slightly greater control and attacking impetus, even if neither side could secure a winner in open play.

• In the penalty shootout, Oxford United prevailed 4–3, with their composure from the spot and key saves/conversions proving decisive in advancing to the next round.

Oxford United Player Ratings vs Milton Keynes Dons

Here's a detailed look at the Oxford United Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Matt Ingram - 8.0: A really commanding performance between the sticks. He made a whopping seven saves, several of which were crucial to keep his team in the game. What stood out to us was his save from Ben Wiles in the first half and another stunning stop to deny Aaron Collins in the second. He couldn't be the hero in the shootout, but his team wouldn't have been there without him. An excellent display of goalkeeping.

Defenders

Sam Long - 6.5: A tireless performance from the fullback, who played the full 120 minutes. He was constantly up and down the flank, delivering 10 crosses into the box. However, from our perspective, his final ball was often lacking and he lost possession a fair bit. Defensively, he was caught out a couple of times but made some important recoveries.

Michal Helik - 7.5: A rock at the back for the U's. He was an absolute warrior, winning 10 of his 17 duels and making 11 clearances. What we noticed was his leadership and composure, especially as the game wore on. He even drew five fouls, relieving pressure on his side at key moments. A very solid outing.

Ben Davies - 7.0: A composed and reliable presence alongside Helik. He was tidy in possession with an 88% pass accuracy and made nine ball recoveries. His nine clearances were vital in stemming the tide of MK Dons attacks. He looked a bit flustered early on but grew into the game and became a calming influence.

Jack Currie - 7.5: An excellent attacking outlet from left-back. He created three chances, including one big chance, and was a constant threat with his overlapping runs. Defensively, he was solid, winning most of his duels and recovering the ball eight times. He played the full 120 minutes and never seemed to tire. A very impressive display of stamina and quality.

Midfielders

Will Vaulks - 6.0: A combative but ultimately frustrating evening for the midfielder. He was tidy enough on the ball before being subbed off but didn't impose himself on the game as we expected. He committed a few fouls and struggled to contain the opposition's midfield runners. A decent shift but not his best day.

Cameron Brannagan - 6.0: The captain had a quiet game by his high standards. He was neat in possession, with a 93% pass accuracy, but offered little penetration. We noticed he was often bypassed in the midfield battle before his substitution. He worked hard, as always, but couldn't unlock the stubborn home defence.

Stanley Mills - 7.0: A livewire performance from the winger. He was a real menace, taking on his man and putting in some dangerous crosses. He had three shots and was unlucky not to score. His energy was infectious, but he did lose the ball quite often. A promising display before he was replaced.

Siriki Dembélé - 6.0: A very quiet game for a player of his talent. He had a 95% pass accuracy which is impressive but he just wasn't involved enough in the final third. We expected him to be the one to create magic but it never really happened for him. He recovered the ball well but offered little going forward.

Forwards

Jamie Paul Donley - N/A: His night was tragically cut short after just 17 minutes due to an injury. It's impossible to give a fair rating in such a short space of time. Hopefully, the injury isn't too serious.

Will Lankshear - 7.5: He'll be the hero for his crucial equalizing goal. It was a well-taken finish that completely changed the complexion of the tie. Outside of the goal, he worked hard, held the ball up, but missed a big chance earlier. His contribution was decisive, and that's all that matters for a striker.

Substitutes

Myles Peart-Harris - 7.0: Came on early for the injured Donley and provided a different kind of threat. Scored his penalty with confidence.

Filip Krastev - 6.5: Added some energy to the midfield but some of his decision-making was erratic.

Brian De Keersmaecker - 7.0: Looked assured in midfield and tested the keeper from distance.

Ole Romenij - 7.0: Looked dangerous after coming on and calmly slotted his penalty.

Mark Harris - 6.5: Held his nerve to score his penalty in the shootout.

Matt Phillips - 6.5: Scored the winning penalty to send his team through. What a moment for him.

Manager

C. Short - 7.5: We have to give him credit. His team looked second-best in the first half, but his halftime talk clearly worked. His substitutions were positive and had an impact, with several substitutes scoring in the shootout. He managed the game well through extra time and got his reward. A great tactical victory.

Milton Keynes Dons Player Ratings vs Oxford United

Let's look deep into the Milton Keynes Dons Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Craig MacGillivray - 7.0: He had a very good game, making five saves, including a couple of excellent stops to deny Oxford in the second half and extra time. He commanded his box well with two punches and a high claim. There was nothing he could do about the goal and he was unlucky in the shootout, facing some brilliantly taken penalties.

Defenders

G. Jones - 6.5: A steady performance at right-back before being substituted. He was solid defensively, winning four of five duels and making two tackles. He tried to get forward but didn't offer a huge amount in an attacking sense. A reliable, if unspectacular, outing.

Luke Offord - 7.0: The captain led by example with a commanding defensive display. He made a massive 14 clearances, throwing his body on the line for his team. He was strong in the air and won most of his duels. He'll be disappointed with the result but can be proud of his personal performance.

Jack Sanders - 9.0: Our Man of the Match, without a doubt. What a colossal performance. He was an absolute giant at the back, with 17 clearances and winning 12 duels. His reading of the game was immense. To top it off, he stepped up and coolly dispatched his penalty in the shootout. An incredible performance despite the loss.

Midfielders

Daniel Crowley - 6.5: A bit of a mixed bag. He was the main creative hub for a while, whipping in 10 crosses. However, only three of them found their mark, and he lost possession 16 times. He worked hard but the final product just wasn't quite there for him on the night.

Aaron Nemane - 6.0: He was having a decent game before an unfortunate injury forced him off. He was diligent in his defensive duties and looked to support the attack when possible. It was a shame to see his evening end prematurely.

Kane Thompson-Sommers - 7.0: A really combative display in the heart of midfield. He won six of his ten duels and made some crucial tackles and recoveries. He also created a big chance, showing his quality on the ball. He ran himself into the ground before being substituted.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - 8.0: An all-action performance. He provided the assist for the opening goal and was a workhorse for the full 120 minutes. He won an incredible 13 duels and made six clearances and five tackles. From our perspective, he was everywhere and left everything out on the pitch.

Ben Wiles - 6.5: Looked very bright in his 72 minutes, creating two big chances for his teammates. He drew three fouls and was a nuisance for the Oxford midfield. However, he was dispossessed four times and faded a little before being taken off.

Forwards

Scott Hogan - 5.5: A very disappointing night for the striker. He had a great chance saved in the first half but was largely anonymous otherwise. He only had 15 touches and lost six of his seven duels. It was no surprise to see him substituted.

A. Collins - 8.0: He was MK Dons' biggest threat all game. He took his goal with a poacher's instinct and was a constant danger, registering five shots with four on target. He missed a few big chances he'll be replaying in his mind, but his overall performance was excellent. A real handful.

Substitutes

Callum Tripp - 6.0: Came on for the injured Nemane and put in a solid, if unremarkable, shift.

Liam Kelly - 6.0: Added some fresh legs but didn't change the game.

Jay Matete - 6.5: Looked busy and scored his penalty with authority.

Callum Paterson - 6.0: Worked hard but missed a decent chance in extra time. Scored his penalty.

Jonathan Leko - 4.5: It's always harsh to single someone out, but his missed penalty was the crucial moment in the shootout. A night to forget for him.

Jack Burke - 6.0: Didn't have much time to make an impact.

Manager

P. Warne - 6.5: His team started the game brilliantly and executed his game plan to take the lead. They looked organized and were on the better side for an hour. However, they couldn't find a second goal and ultimately paid the price for their missed chances. It’s a cruel way to exit the cup.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match goes to Jack Sanders.

Worst Performer

Jonathan Leko was the worst performer in the Milton Keynes Dons vs Oxford United clash.