Match report
Tranmere Hold Off Milton Keynes Dons In Thrilling Draw (2-2) - League Two
Tranmere
2–2
FT
Milton Keynes Dons
Nov 22, 2025
Tranmere put up a valiant fight against Milton Keynes Dons to secure a thrilling 2-2 draw. Despite going down to ten men in the second half, MK Dons managed to claw back from two goals behind thanks to goals from J. Mellish and K. Thompson-Sommers.
Key Facts
- • Final Score: Tranmere 2–2 Milton Keynes Dons
- • C. Whitaker scored twice for Tranmere (9', 27')
- • J. Leko received a red card in the second half, leaving MK Dons with ten men
- • Mellish and Thompson-Sommers equalized for MK Dons
- • Tranmere made five substitutions throughout the match
Lineups
Tranmere
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Starting XI
- 13 J. Murphy (G)
- 30 A. McGowan (D)
- 5 N. Smith (D)
- 3 P. Brough (D)
- 2 C. Norman (M)
- 8 S. Finley (M)
- 24 B. Blacker
- 14 J. Joseph (M)
- 7 C. Whitaker (F)
- 11 O. Patrick (F)
- 29 J. Ironside (F)
Substitutes
- 12 J. Barrett
- 6 R. Smallwood
- 9 K. Dennis
- 10 J. Davison
- 18 C. Jennings
- 25 T. Harris
- 42 N. Kenneh
Milton Keynes Dons
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Starting XI
- 1 C. MacGillivray (G)
- 32 J. Sanders (D)
- 21 M. Ekpiteta (D)
- 15 L. Offord (D)
- 16 A. Nemane (M)
- 7 D. Crowley (M)
- 6 L. Kelly (M)
- 14 J. Tomlinson (M)
- 18 W. Collar (F)
- 8 A. Gilbey (F)
- 17 J. Leko (F)
Substitutes
- 27 C. Trueman
- 2 G. Jones
- 10 A. Collins
- 20 K. Thompson-Sommers
- 22 J. Mellish
- 23 L. Maguire
- 34 C. Tripp
Timeline
-
4' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow CardJ. Leko
Off the ball foul
-
9' Tranmere Goal · Normal GoalC. Whitaker · Assist: J. Joseph
-
23' Tranmere Card · Yellow CardS. Finley
Foul
-
27' Tranmere Goal · Normal GoalC. Whitaker · Assist: A. McGowan
-
60' Tranmere subst · Substitution 1Off: S. Finley · On: R. Smallwood
-
60' Tranmere subst · Substitution 2Off: J. Ironside · On: C. Jennings
-
61' Tranmere subst · Substitution 3Off: A. McGowan · On: N. Kenneh
-
61' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 1Off: A. Nemane · On: Gethin Jones
-
61' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 2Off: J. Tomlinson · On: J. Mellish
-
62' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 3Off: W. Collar · On: A. Collins
-
67' Tranmere Card · Yellow CardJ. Joseph
Foul
-
73' Tranmere subst · Substitution 4Off: C. Whitaker · On: J. Davison
-
75' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 4Off: M. Ekpiteta · On: K. Thompson-Sommers
-
78' Milton Keynes Dons Goal · Normal GoalJ. Mellish
-
79' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow CardJ. Leko
Off the ball foul
-
79' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Red CardJ. Leko
Off the ball foul
-
82' Milton Keynes Dons Goal · Normal GoalK. Thompson-Sommers · Assist: D. Crowley
-
88' Tranmere subst · Substitution 5Off: B. Blacker · On: K. Dennis
-
90'+1 Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow CardJ. Mellish
Foul
-
90'+5 Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 5Off: D. Crowley · On: L. Maguire
Match Stats
| Stat | Tranmere | Milton Keynes Dons |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 11 | 10 |
| Pass Accuracy | 64% | 69% |
| Offsides | 2 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Total Shots | 10 | 15 |
| Corners | 1 | 8 |
| Total Passes | 320 | 360 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 2 | 5 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 3 |
| xG | 0.60 | 1.00 |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 7 |
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Goals Prevented | — | — |
| Accurate Passes | 206 | 250 |
| Shots Inside Box | 6 | 10 |
| Saves | 0 | 2 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 5 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ C. Whitaker's early brace (9' & 27') gave Tranmere a commanding lead, putting pressure on Milton Keynes Dons from the start.
- ▸ The turning point came at 78', when J. Mellish scored for MK Dons and J. Leko was sent off with a red card, which altered the momentum of the game.