Match report

Milton Keynes Dons Edge Out Cheltenham 3-2 in League Two Thriller

Cheltenham
Cheltenham
2–3
FT
Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons
Feb 7, 2026

Milton Keynes Dons edged out Cheltenham Town in an exciting League Two clash, securing the win 3-2. Milton Keynes Dons took an early lead through a brace from C. Nelson and C. Paterson within the first half-hour of play. Despite conceding three goals by the half-time whistle, Cheltenham did not give up and fought back with two goals scored by J. Bickerstaff and I. Hutchinson late in the game.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Cheltenham 2–3 Milton Keynes Dons
  • • Goals for Milton Keynes Dons: C. Nelson (32'), C. Paterson (37') and M. Ekpiteta (64')
  • • Goals for Cheltenham: J. Bickerstaff (45'), I. Hutchinson (87')
  • • Yellow cards: L. Offord, A. Gilbey, J. Mellish, L. Kelly (Milton Keynes Dons); G. Nurse (Cheltenham)

Lineups

Cheltenham

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Day (G)
  • 2 A. Jude-Boyd (D)
  • 6 R. Cundy (D)
  • 5 J. Wilson (D)
  • 27 J. Tomkinson (D)
  • 26 B. Stevenson (M)
  • 11 J. Thomas (M)
  • 8 L. Young (M)
  • 23 I. Hutchinson (M)
  • 20 J. Bickerstaff (M)
  • 9 J. Davison (F)

Substitutes

  • 41 M. Diallo
  • 10 G. Miller
  • 21 G. Nurse
  • 3 G. Harmon
  • 16 J. Martin
  • 7 C. Deeming
  • 4 H. Ashfield

Milton Keynes Dons

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 C. MacGillivray (G)
  • 21 M. Ekpiteta (D)
  • 25 C. Nelson (D)
  • 15 L. Offord (D)
  • 6 L. Kelly (M)
  • 16 A. Nemane (M)
  • 26 B. Wiles (M)
  • 8 A. Gilbey (M)
  • 14 J. Tomlinson (M)
  • 10 A. Collins (F)
  • 13 C. Paterson (F)

Substitutes

  • 27 C. Trueman
  • 7 D. Crowley
  • 2 G. Jones
  • 28 J. Matete
  • 32 J. Sanders
  • 29 R. Hepburn-Murphy
  • 22 J. Mellish

Timeline

  1. Milton Keynes Dons
    19' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    L. Offord

    Foul

  2. Milton Keynes Dons
    32' Milton Keynes Dons Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Nelson · Assist: L. Kelly
  3. Milton Keynes Dons
    37' Milton Keynes Dons Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Paterson
  4. Cheltenham
    45' Cheltenham Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Bickerstaff
  5. Milton Keynes Dons
    60' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Nemane · On: Gethin Jones
  6. Milton Keynes Dons
    60' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Collins · On: R. Hepburn-Murphy
  7. Milton Keynes Dons
    61' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Tomlinson · On: J. Mellish
  8. Milton Keynes Dons
    64' Milton Keynes Dons Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Ekpiteta
  9. Cheltenham
    72' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Davison · On: G. Miller
  10. Cheltenham
    72' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Arkell Jude-Boyd · On: Josh Martin
  11. Cheltenham
    73' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Luke Young · On: C. Deeming
  12. Cheltenham
    73' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Bickerstaff · On: H. Ashfield
  13. Milton Keynes Dons
    81' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    A. Gilbey

    Foul

  14. Cheltenham
    81' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Jordan Thomas · On: G. Nurse
  15. Milton Keynes Dons
    84' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Ekpiteta · On: Jack Sanders
  16. Milton Keynes Dons
    85' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    J. Mellish

    Time wasting

  17. Cheltenham
    87' Cheltenham Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Hutchinson · Assist: C. Deeming
  18. Milton Keynes Dons
    89' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    L. Kelly

    Time wasting

  19. Cheltenham
    90'+5 Cheltenham Card · Yellow Card
    G. Nurse

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Cheltenham Milton Keynes Dons
Fouls 4 12
Pass Accuracy 69% 52%
Offsides 1 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 14 19
Corners 7 8
Total Passes 321 247
Yellow Cards 1 4
Blocked Shots 6 6
Shots on Target 2 9
xG 0.44 2.16
Shots off Target 6 4
Possession 56% 44%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 220 128
Shots Inside Box 6 15
Saves 6 0
Shots Outside Box 8 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The match was turned in favor of Milton Keynes Dons early on as they scored two quick goals by C. Nelson and C. Paterson within five minutes, putting them firmly in control.
  • ▸ Cheltenham mounted a late comeback with goals from J. Bickerstaff just before half-time and I. Hutchinson in the 87th minute, but Milton Keynes Dons held on to secure the win.