Match report

Milton Keynes Dons Defeat Walsall 2-0 in League Two Clash

Walsall
Walsall
0–2
FT
Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons
Feb 23, 2026

Milton Keynes Dons stunned Walsall by securing a 2-0 triumph in the League Two match played on February 23rd. Goals from R. Hepburn-Murphy and J. Mellish ensured MK Dons maintained their solid form, while Walsall struggled to find an equalizer despite making several substitutions.

Key Facts

  • • Milton Keynes Dons defeated Walsall 2-0 in League Two.
  • • R. Hepburn-Murphy scored the first goal for MK Dons at minute 30, assisted by A. Gilbey.
  • • J. Mellish netted the second goal for MK Dons at minute 84, with an assist from M. Ekpiteta.
  • • Walsall's Aden Flint and A. Pattison received yellow cards in the first half.
  • • Milton Keynes Dons' J. Mellish also saw a yellow card late into the game.

Lineups

Walsall

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 12 Sam Hornby (G)
  • 6 Priestley Farquharson (D)
  • 4 Aden Flint (D)
  • 35 Kacper Łopata (D)
  • 17 Courtney Clarke (M)
  • 23 Alexander Pattison (M)
  • 14 Brandon Comley (M)
  • 25 Jid Okeke (M)
  • 15 Daniel Kanu (F)
  • 8 Charlie Lakin (F)
  • 19 Aaron Pressley (F)

Substitutes

  • 31 Rico Richards
  • 22 Jamie Jellis
  • 21 Jenson Kirloy
  • 5 Harrison Burke
  • 18 Vincent Harper
  • 11 Aaron Loupalo-Bi
  • 37 Albert Adomah

Milton Keynes Dons

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Craig MacGillivray (G)
  • 2 Gethin Jones (D)
  • 21 Marvin Ekpiteta (D)
  • 25 Curtis Nelson (D)
  • 15 Luke Offord (D)
  • 7 Daniel Crowley (M)
  • 6 Liam Kelly (M)
  • 26 Ben Wiles (M)
  • 8 Alex Gilbey (M)
  • 22 Jon Mellish (M)
  • 29 Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (F)

Substitutes

  • 27 Connal Trueman
  • 32 Jack Sanders
  • 24 Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
  • 14 Joseph Tomlinson
  • 16 Aaron Nemane
  • 9 Scott Hogan
  • 17 Jonathan Leko

Timeline

  1. Walsall
    26' Walsall Card · Yellow Card
    A. Pattison

    Foul

  2. Milton Keynes Dons
    30' Milton Keynes Dons Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Hepburn-Murphy · Assist: A. Gilbey
  3. Milton Keynes Dons
    44' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    D. Crowley

    Foul

  4. Walsall
    45' Walsall Card · Yellow Card
    Aden Flint

    Unsportsmanlike conduct

  5. Milton Keynes Dons
    58' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    J. Mellish

    Delay of game

  6. Walsall
    59' Walsall subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Pattison · On: J. Jellis
  7. Walsall
    59' Walsall subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Lakin · On: R. Richards
  8. Milton Keynes Dons
    69' Milton Keynes Dons Card · Yellow Card
    M. Ekpiteta

    Foul

  9. Milton Keynes Dons
    74' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Crowley · On: S. Hogan
  10. Walsall
    76' Walsall subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Okeke · On: A. Adomah
  11. Walsall
    76' Walsall subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Lopata · On: H. Burke
  12. Walsall
    82' Walsall subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Clarke · On: A. Loupalo-Bi
  13. Milton Keynes Dons
    84' Milton Keynes Dons Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Mellish · Assist: M. Ekpiteta
  14. Milton Keynes Dons
    86' Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Gethin Jones · On: C. Lemonheigh-Evans
  15. Milton Keynes Dons
    90'+2 Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Hepburn-Murphy · On: A. Nemane
  16. Milton Keynes Dons
    90'+2 Milton Keynes Dons subst · Substitution 4
    Off: L. Kelly · On: Jack Sanders

Match Stats

Stat Walsall Milton Keynes Dons
Fouls 7 17
Pass Accuracy 61% 63%
Offsides 6 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 7 7
Corners 2 7
Total Passes 251 291
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 0 3
Shots on Target 3 3
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 1
Possession 46% 54%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 154 184
Shots Inside Box 1 6
Saves 0 3
Shots Outside Box 6 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ At minute 30, R. Hepburn-Murphy's goal gave Milton Keynes Dons an early lead and boosted their confidence.
  • ▸ In the second half, J. Mellish sealed MK Dons' victory with a late goal at minute 84, ensuring Walsall could not mount a comeback despite making multiple substitutions.