MK Dons conceded a late equaliser as they played out a 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers on Merseyside.
Against a Rovers side that had failed to win any of their last seven games, MK Dons had taken the lead when Danilo Orsi marked his first start for the club with his first goal.
But Luke Norris scored a late penalty to ensure the points were split, with MK Dons now without an away win since New Year’s Day and on a run of 2 wins in their last 14 outings. They also drop a spot to 16th in the League Two table, although they remain 10 points behind the play-offs with 15 games of the season to go.
The contest at Prenton Park brought together two teams near the bottom end of League 2’s form table, with Tranmere having failed to win since beating bottom side Carlisle in early January and MK Dons having won just twice since Christmas.
A scrappy affair did see the Dons come close with a few opportunities, with Scott Hogan denied by home goalkeeper Luke McGee before Alex Gilbey hit a strike off target.
Tranmere came close as a hit by Omari Patrick narrowly missed the target, before MK Dons took the lead just after the half-hour mark.
Having been given the nod up front, Orsi saw his initial shot saved by McGee after he had been released by Gilbey, but the deadline day signing was first to the looping loose ball and headed it in, giving the visitors the advantage.
Sol Solomon would be denied by Dons keeper Connal Trueman just after half-time, before Jordan Turnbull saw a strike cleared off the line.
The visitors spurned a chance to double their lead when Scott Hogan fired off target when well placed, before Tranmere sub Norris fired wide when well placed.
Tranmere were then awarded a penalty when Solomon was deemed to have been fouled by Dan Crowley during a scramble in the penalty area, and Norris scored the consequent penalty.
Neither side were able to force in a third goal of the game, with two out-of-form sides ending the game with an extra point in their tally.
MK Dons face a tricky test next weekend, as they face Bradford City in a reverse of their season opener.
Police have released an image of a man officers would like to speak to following an assault in Milton Keynes.
The incident officered just after 4.30pm on Saturday 18 January in Centre:MK, when the offender entered JenningsBet and attacked the victim with a piece of wood.
The victim, a man in his thirties, sustained injuries to his neck, chin and hand which required hospital treatment. He has since been discharged.
Thames Valley Police have released a CCTV image of a man that they would like to speak to regarding the incident.
Police staff investigator Margarita Constantinou, said, “I am appealing to anyone who recognises the man pictured as he may have vital information about this incident.
“If this is you, please come forward as soon as possible.
“Anyone with information about this incident, or recognises the man pictured, can call 101 or report it online, quoting investigation reference number 43250028390.
“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer left a visit to Milton Keynes early after a planned photo opportunity was interrupted by a farmer protest.
Starmer had been visiting the Eastbrook housing development in the east of the city yesterday morning (13/02) near to Newport Pagnell, where he had planned to announce the government’s intent to build up to a dozen new towns across the UK as part of their development and housing agendas.
However, around a dozen tractors and other agricultural vehicles turned up shortly after the Prime Minister arrived. The farming vehicle protest was part of continued protests by farming advocacy groups against planned changes to farm inheritance tax rules and subsidies, which have been ongoing since the plans were announced as part of the Budget last October.
Loud and sustained horns from the farming vehicles drowned out all attempts by Starmer to conduct media interviews with TV channels as originally planned, and eventually saw the opportunity abandoned earlier than intended, with Starmer leaving the site and returning to London.
Such as was the impromptu nature of Starmer’s swift exit than when he was photographed returning to 10 Downing Street later in the day, he was still wearing the hi-vis jacket and work boots as he had worn while at the site.
In a brief statement to Sky News, Thames Valley Police said, “Thames Valley Police facilitated a peaceful protest off the A509 and liaised with the protesters at the scene.
“Officers from the local policing team engaged with the protesters. No arrests were made or necessary. The protest has reached its conclusion and the group are now dispersing from the area.”
MK Dons have announced plans for fans to vote on redesign the club’s crest.
The club have largely used the same crest or revisions of it since being founded in 2004, but in a statement yesterday, the League 2 club announced they would be asking season ticket holders to vote on three competing designs for supporter consultation, with a view to changing the badge for the 2025/26 season onwards.
All season ticket holders, including hospitality seasonal members, and business stakeholders have been asked to vote on possible changes, with a deadline given on Thursday February 20th at midnight. All of the revised crest designs have been sent to eligible voters in the e-mail.
MK Dons have confirmed that all eligible voters were sent an e-mail entitled “Your Club, Your Crest. Vote Now” with details of the process and the option to make their vote. They have also advised any eligible supporters yet to receive the necessary e-mail to request it from [email protected].
In a statement, MK Dons have said that following the change of ownership last year that saw the club acquired by a Kuwait-based consortium and the club reaching 20 years of existence that the time had come to pursue a new club identity.
The statement read, “After 20 years of football in Milton Keynes and the recent change in ownership of the club, the 25/26 season felt like a natural time to evolve the club’s identity and solidify a new era for MK Dons.
“Following initial consultation with the MK Dons Supporters’ Board, it became apparent there was a clear desire for an evolution of the club’s identity, from the crest on our kits to the branding around Stadium MK and branding across all digital platforms.
“After extensive work behind the scenes, we’re now delighted to be able to offer all season ticket holders (including Club Red, Club Gold, Club Platinum, and Club Black hospitality seasonal members) and business stakeholders the chance to have your say in helping to choose our new club crest.”
The Club’s CEO Neil Hart added, “When the new ownership group acquired the club last summer, one of the many things we wanted to learn more about was the club’s identity and branding. This started with informal conversations among staff before the possibility of a brand evolution was brought to the MK Dons Supporters’ Board last month. Their reaction was one of unanimous enthusiasm, as we look to celebrate the past 20 years of football in Milton Keynes while also paving the way for a new era at the football club – this feels like an important milestone in the club’s history and an opportunity for us all to review our brand identity.
“As we continue to be focused on improving every aspect of our football club we want our supporters to be at the heart of any important decision-making affecting the club. So, take your time, review the designs and let us have your feedback. We can assure supporters we will only evolve the club’s brand and identity with the full support of our loyal fan base and key partners”.
Former MK Dons striker Matthew Dennis has signed with the Dons’ fellow League 2 outfit Carlisle United.
The 22-year-old has joined Carlisle on a free transfer and has signed a short-term contract covering the rest of the 2024/25 season.
Dennis was available as a free after being released by MK Dons on transfer deadline day, ending a two and a half year spell contracted with the club.
The attacker had joined MK Dons from Norwich in 2022, scoring 11 times in 46 appearances for the club, but having not played for MK Dons between September 2024 and his exit earlier this month.
Dennis was one of three players released by MK Dons on deadline day after having their contract terminated by mutual consent, with Joe Pritchard and Tom Carroll also departing. Pritchard has since joined National League side Oldham Athletic, while Carroll remains without a club.
The deal was ratified in time for Dennis to be included in Carlisle’s squad for their match yesterday (11/02), with the striker coming on as a substitute during their 1-0 defeat to Newport County in South Wales. He became the 49th unique player to have played a competitive game for Carlisle this season.
The transfer makes Dennis the third former MK Dons player to move to Carlisle in the last year, with the Cumbrians having signed Ethan Robson last summer after he was released by MK Dons and then signing Stephen Wearne directly from the Dons in the January transfer window.
Dennis’ move is the first signing made by Carlisle since the appointment of Mark Hughes, with the former Blackburn, Man City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke, Southampton and Welsh national team boss replacing Mike Williamson earlier this month. Williamson had left his role as MK Dons’ Head Coach to take the Carlisle job in September, but was shown the door on transfer deadline day after struggling to get results.
In a brief statement, Carlisle’s Sporting Director Rob Clarkson said, “We are pleased Matthew has joined us for the remainder of the season.
“He is a talented player who gives us an extra option at the top end of the pitch. He’s really hungry and determined to grab this opportunity with both hands.”
