Match report

Colchester Defeats Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 in League Two Clash

Colchester
Colchester
1–0
FT
Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons
Jan 1, 2026

Colchester held off the tenacious challenge of Milton Keynes Dons to secure a narrow but significant 1-0 win in their League Two encounter. The decisive moment came late in injury time when Josh Payne converted from the penalty spot, sealing Colchester's victory and frustrating the visiting team.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Colchester 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons
  • • Josh Payne scored the winning goal with a penalty in injury time
  • • Milton Keynes Dons had two players receive yellow cards (Liam Offord and Jiri Leko)
  • • Colchester made several key substitutions, including T. Bishop for R. Hunt at 20 minutes

Lineups

Colchester

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Macey (G)
  • 30 K. Vincent-Young (D)
  • 5 J. Tucker (D)
  • 24 H. Araujo (D)
  • 3 E. Iandolo (D)
  • 16 A. Read (M)
  • 8 T. Bishop (M)
  • 9 S. Tovide (M)
  • 10 J. Payne (M)
  • 21 O. Edwards (M)
  • 19 W. Goodwin (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 T. Smith
  • 2 R. Hunt
  • 14 K. Lisbie
  • 15 D. Gape
  • 17 J. Williams
  • 33 M. Mbick
  • 40 F. Terry

Milton Keynes Dons

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 1 C. MacGillivray (G)
  • 32 J. Sanders (D)
  • 21 M. Ekpiteta (D)
  • 15 L. Offord (D)
  • 2 G. Jones (M)
  • 7 D. Crowley (M)
  • 6 L. Kelly (M)
  • 10 A. Collins (M)
  • 22 J. Mellish (M)
  • 29 R. Hepburn-Murphy (F)
  • 13 C. Paterson (F)

Substitutes

  • 27 C. Trueman
  • 9 S. Hogan
  • 16 A. Nemane
  • 17 J. Leko
  • 20 K. Thompson-Sommers
  • 24 C. Lemonheigh-Evans
  • 34 C. Tripp

Timeline

  1. Colchester
    20' Colchester subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Bishop · On: R. Hunt
  2. Milton Keynes Dons
    60' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    L. Offord

    Foul

  3. Milton Keynes Dons
    61' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 1
    Off: C. Paterson · On: S. Hogan
  4. Milton Keynes Dons
    61' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Collins · On: K. Thompson-Sommers
  5. Milton Keynes Dons
    61' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Crowley · On: C. Lemonheigh-Evans
  6. Colchester
    64' Colchester subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Tovide · On: K. Lisbie
  7. Colchester
    64' Colchester subst · Substitution 3
    Off: W. Goodwin · On: M. Mbick
  8. Milton Keynes Dons
    83' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Ekpiteta · On: A. Nemane
  9. Milton Keynes Dons
    87' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Hepburn-Murphy · On: J. Leko
  10. Colchester
    90'+5 Colchester subst · Substitution 4
    Off: O. Edwards · On: F. Terry
  11. Milton Keynes Dons
    90' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    J. Leko

    Foul

  12. Colchester
    90' Colchester Goal · Penalty
    J. Payne

Match Stats

Stat Colchester Milton Keynes Dons
Fouls 9 14
Pass Accuracy 73% 60%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 9
Corners 6 3
Total Passes 426 293
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 2 4
xG 1.43 1.00
Shots off Target 4 4
Possession 60% 40%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 309 176
Shots Inside Box 4 8
Saves 4 1
Shots Outside Box 6 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The game's momentum shifted after Liam Offord of Milton Keynes Dons was shown a yellow card and subsequently substituted in the 60th minute, weakening their midfield presence.
  • ▸ Josh Payne's penalty conversion in injury time provided Colchester with the crucial late goal needed to secure all three points against Milton Keynes Dons.