MK Dons and Stevenage will face eachother once again in a replay after their Emirates FA Cup clash ended 2-2.
Liam Manning's men at the break thanks to a header from Harry Darling header but Brad Barry and Elliott List goals had the visitors in front with a quarter of an hour to play.
The Dons, though, would level through Max Watters shortly afterwards - a goal which forces a replay at the Lamex Stadium in 10 days time.
TEAM NEWS
MK Dons made four changes from last weekend’s win over Crewe Alexandra with Aden Baldwin, Troy Parrott, Brooklyn Ilunga and Max Watters coming into the side.
With a number of plays out due to Covid-19, Liam Manning was short-handed on the bench with Ronnie Sandford and Edward Gyamfi featuring alongside Under-16 Callum Tripp.
FIRST HALF
The Dons almost netted the opening goal within a minute of kick-off. Troy Parrott played Watters in on goal, and with the advancing Joseph Anang closing him down, Watters opted to chip the Stevenage keeper. Although he managed to do so, Anang recovered well to clear off the line.
Twine then had his first involvement of the game as he shaped to shoot from 25-yards, his effort took a deflection and ended behind for a corner. The resulting corner saw Darling head over the bar.
Manning’s two full-backs then looked to combine as Baldwin found an inch of space for a cross on the right. He picked out Ilunga, but he was unable to direct his header towards goal.
Stevenage were then presented the chance to take the lead after a swift counter-attacking move. James-Wildin broke down the right with his cross picking an unmarked Brad Barry, he fired wide of the target.
O’Riley then produced a superb piece of skill to create room for a shot, his effort deflected wide and earned MK Dons a corner.
Manning’s side would take the lead from the corner after a well-worked move. Parrott came short and received from O’Riley before recycling to outside the box for McEachran, his cross picked out Darling who flicked home for his second goal of the season. 1-0.
SECOND HALF
Twine started the second-half heavily involved with two efforts going close within quick succession. His first was locked well by Vancooten, while his second was saved by Anang.
After a sustained period of possession, Twine once again tried his luck from range with 51-minutes gone. His curling effort ended narrowly over the bar.
O’Riley was the next Dons man to try find the second of the afternoon, he was teed up by Twine with his effort stinging the palms of Amang before the Stevenage keeper claimed the rebound from Watters.
Baldwin then looped a cross into the box, Amang thought it was going comfortably over, but his effort his the crossbar before bouncing over for a goal kick.
Stevenage came close to equalising with 68-minutes gone as they got in behind MK Dons down the right. Darling was on hand to block a cross behind for a corner, one MK Dons headed clear.
Alex Revell’s side, however, did draw level just two minutes later as Barry was on hand to turn home a cross at the back-post. 1-1.
Stevenage made it two in three minutes as List turned home from inside the box after a swift counter from the visitors. 1-2.
The entertainment continued as Max Watters drew Dons level. O’Riley lifted a ball over the top for Watters who slammed home from inside the box for his third goal in as many games. 2-2.
The ebb and flow nature of the game then saw Stevenage go close to retaking the lead through Jake Taylor his effort was well saved by Fisher before O’Hora cleared the danger.
Neither side were able to find that elusive winning goal and will now face each other once again in a replay.
MK DONS: Fisher, Lewington, O’Hora, Darling, O’Riley, Twine, Baldwin, McEachran, Parrott, Ilunga, Watters.
Subs: Ravizzoli, Sandford, Brown, Robson, Johnson, Gyamfi, Tripp.
Goals: Darling (34), Watters (77).
Booked: Baldwin.
