MK Dons triumph in FA Cup after late goal beats Colchester

MK Dons are through to the Second Round of the FA Cup after a late goal clinched a 3-2 win over Colchester.

A game between two League Two sides saw Micah Mbick score a long range opener, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy equalise for the visitors, Harry Anderson put the hosts back in front and Hepburn-Murphy score a second equaliser.

Joe Tomlinson’s 87th minute goal would win the day for Paul Warne’s side, as MK Dons book passage to the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time in three seasons.

Having seen an unbeaten league run ended by Bromley last week, the Dons arrived in Essex seeking to bounce back to winning ways and secure an FA Cup victory on their first of two visits to Colchester this season, with the Dons scheduled to visit Colchester on New Year’s Day.

A fairly even opening stage of the contest saw the Dons have a few half-chances thwarted by home keeper Matt Macey, but just before the half-hour, Colchester took the lead. A long ball down the home side’s right flank caught away side defenders out of position, and with Connal Trueman having rushed off his line, Mbick placed a fine strike above the keeper and into the back of the net.

MK Dons would then equalise just over 10 minutes later. Aaron Nemane’s pass down the right released Hepburn-Murphy, who threaded a strike under Macey and over the line to put the away side on level terms.

Colchester retook the lead in the opening minutes of the second half. Jack Sanders was dispossessed a few yards outside his own box, and on their break forward, Kyreece Lisbie fed Anderson, who drew out Trueman, created space for a shot and rammed one into the roof of the net.

Once again, Colchester held their lead for ten minutes before MK Dons found an equaliser. Hepburn-Murphy would grab his second of the game when he received Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s through-ball and duly dispatched it beyond Macey’s grasp.

With extra-time looming, MK Dons wound up finding a breakthrough with 87 minutes on the clock. Mendez-Laing’s pass wound up at the feet of Tomlinson, who drilled the strike home.

Colchester were unable to respond to trailing for the first time in the whole contest, as MK Dons ground out the win that sees them advance and book their place in Monday’s Second Round draw.