Aaron Ramsey heartened by Oxford’s attitude after MK Dons draw
Defeat was avoided in the final moments of the match.
Oxford United’s new manager Aaron Ramsey said he knows he has “a team that won’t give up” after their late leveller in the 2-2 draw against newly-promoted MK Dons.
Ciaron Brown turned in a low cross from substitute Gatlin O’Donkor in the fifth minute of stoppage time as relegated Oxford were rewarded for a strong last 20 minutes when they laid siege to the Dons goal.
Mark Harris had fired the U’s in front in the 20th minute, but two goals in five minutes suddenly turned the game around in MK Dons’ favour.
Summer signing Charlie Goode headed in an equaliser in the 29th minute, before Aaron Collins nodded home Ryan Wintle’s cross to put the visitors on top.
Collins also headed just wide and against a post in the second half.
Ramsey said: “I’m not here to celebrate draws but it was very important for us not to start with a defeat.
“This is a team that has struggled the last two seasons, so it was very impressive the way they kept knocking at the door and never gave up – and we could probably even have nicked it at the end.
“I thought we started the game really brightly but then got sucked into their game – they got the goal and it became a bit of a basketball match, backwards and forwards, which is not our style.
“They used their set pieces really well, but it was a really positive last 35 minutes from us where we began controlling the game as I wanted.
“I felt the energy and excitement from our supporters, and they played a part.
“I know this is a team that won’t give up, and it’s important we have that mentality this year.
“The boys that came on gave us extra energy and freshness, and it was great the way young Mo Missanga played his part. I’ve been really impressed by Mo from the moment I went along to watch the youth team train.”
MK Dons head coach Paul Warne said his players were crestfallen in the dressing room after seeing victory snatched from them.
Warne said: “The lads are really heart-broken. We’ve picked up a point, which away from home is never a bad thing, but it was so close to three.
“I was generally pleased with our performance levels, there was a real energy about our team and I was pleased with our shape. We kept getting in good positions, got good crosses in and it didn’t flatter us to be 2-1 up at half time.
“I thought Charlie Goode was outstanding on his league debut and there were some other very good performances.
“We hit the post and had some not just half-chances, but really good opportunities to go 3-1 up.
“Apart from the last three minutes it would have gone down as a great away day for us all, but it wasn’t to be in the end.”