MK Dons will be in the Third Round of the FA Cup after they recorded a 3-1 win over Oldham Athletic at Stadium MK.

Joe Tomlinson and Liam Kelly scored goals either side of half-time to give Paul Warne’s hosts an advantage against their fellow League Two opponents.

A penalty scored by Oldham sub Luke Hannant had seen the visitors threaten to take the tie to extra-time, but a goal at the start of injury time from substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing clinched it for the hosts.

Victory means that the Dons will progress to Round 3 of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign.

Having risen into the automatic promotion places in League Two, the Dons faced the challenge of competing for the next stage of the FA Cup. It would see them take on a familiar opponent in the form of Oldham Athletic, who had previously visited Stadium MK on the opening day of the season in a 0-0 draw.

Oldham began the day with some bright attacking play, although it didn’t yield big chances. Jake Caprice blasted a strike wide from outside the box, before Michael Mellon saw a shot from a tight angle kept out by Craig MacGillivray.

As the half wore on, MK Dons began to offer more of an attacking threat, with Aaron Collins prodding an effort wide from Callum Paterson’s cross before the same man had a strike blocked by Oldham’s Dynel Simeu.

Laurence Maguire and Paterson would later see strikes blocked at corners, but the first half was threatening to peter out until MK Dons found a breakthrough in the latter phase of the half.

Oldham had initially cleared a Dons corner, but the hosts maintained pressure and Maguire’s flick from a second ball into the box found Tomlinson, who lashed the ball home from the edge of the box.

Having got the lead late in the half, the Dons pushed on. Will Collar would come close in the opening minutes of the half, with the keeper having two attempts denied by Matthew Hudson’s double save.

A counter-attack also nearly paid dividends for the hosts. From Mellon’s long-throw, the hosts flew forward in a move that ended with Paterson striking the post and Collins putting the ball in only to be deemed to have fouled Hudson.

Oldham nearly made the most of reprieve, with MacGillivray making a flying stop to deny Tom Pett after the Latics man had got free on the edge of the box.

It would then become 2-0 to MK Dons just before the hour. The hosts had seen an attack seemingly fizzle out, but Kelly raced onto the loose ball and guided a fine first-time strike into the back of the net beyond the reach of Hudson.

The game’s momentum initially slowed down, with both sides making a wave of substitutions with one eye on midweek matches. The best opportunity in this phase would see Dons sub Mendez-Laing have a strike blocked.

But with 15 minutes to go, Oldham would get a lifeline. Maguire fouled Oldham sub Mike Fondop in the box, and from the penalty spot, Hannant sent MacGillivray the wrong way to reduce the home side’s advantage.

MK Dons would nearly brush off any concerns of an Oldham comeback, however, with substitute Jon Mellish playing a cross for Collar, whose header was tipped over by Hudson.

Mellish’s next contribution was less impressive, however, with the wing-back starting a melee for which both he and Fondop earned bookings.

In the end, the Dons would wrap up the win and with it a place in the Third Round. Kelly’s long ball released Mendez-Laing, who got there ahead of Hudson after the Oldham keeper had raced off his line. Mendez-Laing duly rounded the Oldham keeper and rolled it into the empty net, confirming MK Dons’ progress into the next round.

MK Dons: MacGillivray – Offord, Sanders (Ekpiteta 45), Maguire (Mellish 78) – Jones (Nemane 60), Thompson-Sommers, Kelly, Collar, Tomlinson – Paterson (Mendez-Laing 60), Collins (Gilbey 60)

Subs not used: Trueman, Mellish, Tripp, Waller, Burke

Goal: Tomlinson (42), Kelly (57), Mendez-Laing (90+2)

Booked: Maguire, Mellish

Oldham: Hudson – Simeu (Sutton 62), Daniels, Monthe – Caprice, Pett (Payne 62), Woods, Stevens (Hannant 62), Robson – Drummond (Quigley 62), Mellon (Fondop 71)

Subs not used: Donaghy, Ogle, Charsley, Fondop, Morris

Goal: Hannant (pen 75)

Booked: Robson, Monthe, Fondop

Police are appealing for witnesses following a vehicle theft in Milton Keynes, with a motorcycle stolen during the incident.

The incident happened between 10pm on 23 November and 3pm on 24 November.

The victim, an individual aged in his fifties, parked his dark green BMW Motorcycle in an underground parking garage on Canal Street, Milton Keynes, only to find it stolen.

As part of their appeal, Thames Valley Police provided a photographic example of the stolen vehicle.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jenna Wilde, said, “I am appealing to anybody with any information, who witnessed the incident, or may have dash-cam footage capturing it, to please contact Thames Valley Police.

“You can do so by reporting online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43250578893.

“If you don’t wish to speak directly with police, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Northampton Town will be taking on Walsall at Sixfields in the next stage of the EFL Trophy after a midweek win over Wycombe Wanderers.

The Cobblers’ reward for a midweek 2-0 win over Wycombe, also at home, will see them welcome the League 2 promotion contenders in the EFL Trophy’s Second Knockout Round.

The tie will take place in the week beginning January 12th, with a specific kick-off date, time and ticket details to confirmed in due course.

Northampton had booked their place after a 2-0 win over the Chairboys on Tuesday, with first-half goals by Kyle Edwards and Tyrese Fornah getting Kevin Nolan’s side the victory in an all-League One tie.

Opponents Walsall booked their place after they won 2-1 away at League One side Stevenage. The Saddlers currently sit top of the League Two table.

The encounter will be Northampton’s second meeting with Walsall in the EFL Trophy this season, with the Cobblers having won 1-0 away at Walsall in early October.

A man from Milton Keynes has been ordered to pay nearly £600 in fines and costs for dumping rubbish illegally in Milton Keynes. 

The man from Stantonbury, who has not been identified, was sentenced at a hearing earlier this week.

On 1 December, the Court heard that in the early hours of 8 January he dumped a sofa and other household items on a grass area near his home. He pleaded guilty to these charges, (dumping a sofa) and Magistrates set a fine of £120 and ordered him to pay the city council’s legal and investigation costs of £410 plus a victim surcharge of £48.

It was also revealed that the offender failed to co-operate with the city council’s investigation or to appear when required at Milton Keynes Magistrates Court, so a warrant was placed, and he was arrested.

Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, said “Dumping rubbish and creating a mess in our communities is just unacceptable. Almost all local residents readily take responsibility for their unwanted household items, whether that means using a recycling centre, contacting a local charity to collect, or some other means. We will not tolerate offenders who ruin our green spaces.”