MK Dons lose out in battle against Oxford and ex-boss Robinson
MK Dons were beaten 3-2 by Oxford United, as Karl Robinson got the better of his former club.
The game had been level at half-time after Cameron Jerome cancelled out Matty Taylor’s early opener. But Sam Long put Oxford ahead moments after half-time, before Olamide Shodipo cracked home a late third.
Ben Gladwin did get a goal back in added time for the visitors, but it was not enough to prevent defeat in their first game after delivering their first win of the new campaign.
The Dons fell behind in the opening stages, which has been a regular issue so far this season, as Taylor swept the ball home inside the opening six minutes after a fast Oxford break.
However, the Dons equalised six minutes later when Jerome swept in Daniel Harvie’s cross to grab his second in as many games.
MK Dons had the bulk of possession in the remainder of the first half and created a number of opportunities, but couldn’t force their way to goal, and needed Lee Nicholls to keep out Anthony Forde late in the half.
Oxford then began on the front foot after the half-time whistle and having come close a few times, the home side went back in front when newly arrived sub Long headed in a free-kick.
Marcus McGuane then fired wide when well placed as Oxford failed to grab a third within seconds of retaking the lead.
An increasingly scrappy game saw the Dons struggle to impose themselves, and they conceded a third late on. Moments after Dan Agyei had an effort blocked on the line by George Williams, Shodipo took aim from range and bent a long-ranger beyond Nicholls.
MK Dons would have a goal from range of their own as Gladwin fired in his own strike from outside the box, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a defeat.