Close menu
League Two
MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons4Sutton UnitedSutton United4

Milton Keynes Dons 4-4 Sutton United: U's relegated from League Two after draw

Last updated on .From the section League Twocomments106

Steve Morison
Steve Morison and Sutton United were relegated from League Two after drawing 4-4 with MK Dons

Sutton United were relegated from League Two as they drew 4-4 with MK Dons on the final day of the season.

The U's needed to beat Dons and hope Colchester lost to Crewe to have any chance of avoiding relegation and were seemingly heading down with a whimper as they trailed 2-0 at half-time through goals from Jack Payne and Alex Gilbey.

The U's rallied in the second half as Stephen Duke-McKenna pulled one back before Emre Tezgel restored the Dons' two-goal advantage.

Charlie Lakin fired into the top corner to get Sutton back into the game, and Duke-McKenna netted his second shortly after Ellis Harrison scored the hosts' fourth.

Harry Smith grabbed an added time equaliser for Sutton but it was never going to be enough to save the London club, as they return to the National League after three seasons in the English Football League.

MK Dons will face Crawley in the play-off semi-finals having gone into the game already being assured of a fourth-place finish.

Sutton's Football League adventure ends in Milton Keynes

The U's were promoted to the EFL for the first time in their history in 2020-21 under Matt Gray.

He led the club to eighth in their first season in League Two, one point off the play-off places, and to the EFL Trophy final, where they lost 4-2 to Rotherham after extra time at Wembley.

They then finished 14th last season but struggled this term, with Gray sacked in December 2023 after an 8-0 thrashing at Stockport left the south London club bottom of the table.

Steve Morison was hired as his replacement in January and revived the club's season, winning four games in a row in March and April to lift the club out of the relegation zone for the first time since August.

However, three draws from their final four games was not enough to save Sutton and the U's will join already relegated Forest Green Rovers in the National League next season.

MK Dons boss Mike Williamson speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio:

"It was one of those games where you don't really know what to expect, it was a long shot for them [to stay up] relying on other results but we knew they were going to come with that professionalism and belief [that they could do it].

"We're going into a very tough semi-final against Crawley, who play good football, and it's going to be an exciting challenge."

Sutton boss Steve Morison told BBC Radio London:

"I couldn't be prouder of all of the players, we've left some points out there since I've come in which is disappointing as I've always felt like we could do it [stay up].

"We can use today's performance as ammo for next season. I'm not going anywhere, why would I?

"I love coming to work, love this group of players and the people who work here.

"It's a really disappointing day for the club but what I think we've shown is there are some really good players in that dressing room and we've got a good chance of doing something special next year."

Line-ups

MK Dons

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 32Kelly
  • 4Tucker
  • 5O'HoraBooked at 67mins
  • 21Harvie
  • 29LofthouseSubstituted forKempat 74'minutes
  • 11Payne
  • 50Bate
  • 14TomlinsonSubstituted forNormanat 62'minutes
  • 24WearneSubstituted forTezgelat 56'minutes
  • 8GilbeySubstituted forRobsonat 62'minutes
  • 18DeanSubstituted forHarrisonat 56'minutesBooked at 90mins

Substitutes

  • 2Norman
  • 3Lewington
  • 9Harrison
  • 17Robson
  • 22Tezgel
  • 27Kemp
  • 33Marschall

Sutton United

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 25Arnold
  • 23JacksonSubstituted forMooreat 74'minutes
  • 4Sowunmi
  • 22Kizzi
  • 42HartBooked at 67mins
  • 10BeautymanSubstituted forFadahunsiat 74'minutes
  • 31Lakin
  • 7ColeySubstituted forDuke-McKennaat 31'minutes
  • 38SandersonSubstituted forEastmondat 45'minutesBooked at 65mins
  • 3Adom-Malaki
  • 9Smith

Substitutes

  • 6John
  • 15Eastmond
  • 16Clay
  • 19Fadahunsi
  • 27Moore
  • 30Kerbey
  • 50Duke-McKenna
Referee:
Thomas Parsons
Attendance:
8,685

Match Stats

Home TeamMK DonsAway TeamSutton United
Possession
Home63%
Away37%
Shots
Home18
Away17
Shots on Target
Home8
Away12
Corners
Home3
Away9
Fouls
Home10
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, MK Dons 4, Sutton United 4.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, MK Dons 4, Sutton United 4.

  3. Post update

    Attempt saved. Harry Smith (Sutton United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Charlie Lakin with a cross.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Daniel Kemp (MK Dons).

  5. Post update

    Deon Moore (Sutton United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Emre Tezgel (MK Dons).

  7. Post update

    Joe Kizzi (Sutton United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Booking

    Ellis Harrison (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card.

  9. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  10. Post update

    Delay in match (MK Dons).

  11. Post update

    Ellis Harrison (MK Dons) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Omar Sowunmi (Sutton United).

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Emre Tezgel (MK Dons) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lewis Bate.

  14. Goal!

    Goal! MK Dons 4, Sutton United 4. Harry Smith (Sutton United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Stephen Duke-McKenna with a cross.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Sutton United. Conceded by Michael Kelly.

  16. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Emre Tezgel (MK Dons) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Daniel Kemp.

  17. Post update

    Daniel Harvie (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Joe Kizzi (Sutton United).

  19. Post update

    Corner, Sutton United. Conceded by Daniel Harvie.

  20. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Deon Moore (Sutton United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Stephen Duke-McKenna with a cross.

Page 1 of 7
Navigate to the last page

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

106 comments

  • Comment posted by Mr Magpie, at 17:42 27 Apr

    Commiserations to Sutton Utd you gave it a good go but just couldn’t do it in the end. You have so much more right to be in the EFL than Franchise FC. Good luck next season

    • Reply posted by GeoffreyPike, at 17:44 27 Apr

      GeoffreyPike replied:
      Neither of them have, horrible clubs

  • Comment posted by Neilos, at 22:04 27 Apr

    Colchester fan here. Tough luck Sutton. You should have been dead and buried weeks ago but you have scared the hell out of us these last few weeks (and finally motivated us to play some decent football). Hope both clubs kick on next season.

  • Comment posted by Old-Stager, at 18:28 27 Apr

    Unlucky Sutton United, but you certainly went down fighting to the end.
    Good Luck Next season from a Swindon Town Fan !

  • Comment posted by Alan Walker, at 20:09 27 Apr

    Nobody could fault the U's effort - particularly second half. And for the record, Harry Smith was probably U's Man of the Match today, despite all the negative HYS comments that he attracts .

    Bringing in Morison probably happened a month too late, in hindsight. But U's really gave it a go. It is a real community club, and doesn't deserve the vitriol posted here for daring to get promoted. 💛🤎

  • Comment posted by bob, at 17:41 27 Apr

    So, the miracle didn’t happen for Sutton. A brave attempt in the second half of the season. Changing manager and keeper and bringing in a striker much earlier (Larkin did well, but never classified as a striker), might just have made the difference. A difficult return to NL awaits. As with all teams, money needed!

    • Reply posted by GeoffreyPike, at 17:43 27 Apr

      GeoffreyPike replied:
      Good riddance to this awful club

  • Comment posted by Mister Zed, at 20:45 27 Apr

    You pushed us to end when I thought you were dead and buried. Well done Sutton, see you again soon.

  • Comment posted by Lee H, at 17:56 27 Apr

    Sutton gave it a good go in the EFL (never forget their day at Wembley). Let’s hope they can get back up quickly.

    • Reply posted by Mr Standfast, at 17:59 27 Apr

      Mr Standfast replied:
      Can't see that happening. The conf national is possibly above where their level of support can sustain them. They're no basket case, like scunny, so they have a punchers chance.

  • Comment posted by Nickcolu5, at 22:40 27 Apr

    Your club and its supporters are a credit to the footballing community. Hope you come straight back up.

  • Comment posted by poppy, at 20:53 27 Apr

    Pretty sure most true football fans will be rooting for Crawley

    • Reply posted by john, at 21:23 27 Apr

      john replied:
      NO ,proper football clubs are Crewe and Doncaster

  • Comment posted by Catch it Gilo, at 19:45 27 Apr

    MK Dons concede to many goals. They score loads but can't keep it shut at the other end. Doncaster are in form and have momentum that's what you need going in to the playoffs. Crawley are a decent side who play football and unless Dons can sort out the defence forget about Wembley.

    • Reply posted by The Real Graham, at 09:16 28 Apr

      The Real Graham replied:
      Good analysis.
      We conceded 3 goals after we started resting players yesterday, I'm hoping those goals wouldn't happen at full strength, but somehow I think I am kidding myself

  • Comment posted by Unknownfan24, at 03:02 28 Apr

    Commiserations Sutton United. You’ll bounce back to League 2 next season. Good luck in the National League.

  • Comment posted by Phil, at 17:30 27 Apr

    Dan Kemp is the Messi of L2. What do MK Dons do? Leave him on the bench and play donkeys. Give him back to Swindon and release him from his cage. Deplorable.

    • Reply posted by bob, at 17:56 27 Apr

      bob replied:
      To be fair I know little about MK, so know not about Mr Kemp, but they did have little to play for today, and maybe it was time to experiment.

  • Comment posted by Steve manser, at 13:32 28 Apr

    Big shout out to MK for keeping the final league game honest..wasn't sure they were going to give it 100% much mistaken and well done...and well done to Sutton for not giving up until the final whistle-good to see.

  • Comment posted by The Real Graham, at 09:25 28 Apr

    Another crazy game in which we could not defend. I fear for the playoffs, Crawley are no mugs and Doncaster are bang on form. Still, I will be there hoping that finally we are going to break our playoff curse and at least make it to Wembley.

    Special mention to the Sutton fans, you were loud and very clearly out to enjoy your final game, huge respect to you. Pity you got relegated.

  • Comment posted by Kent Womble, at 16:44 28 Apr

    How good of MK to show just how much they are a continuation of Wimbledon FC with their heart warming tribute to one of their former managers yesterday. I was overwhelmed. Thank you on behalf of every true supporter. On another note you can celebrate the 'football frenzy' with your 'Bring the Noise' campaign. Get behind 'The Dons' by closing most of the stands. Marvellous.

    • Reply posted by The Real Graham, at 18:17 28 Apr

      The Real Graham replied:
      🤣🤣🤣. He can't stay away! Thought he was going to manage to resist this week but nope, he just can't.

      Let's see how it plays out shall we. 1 thing guaranteed, we will have more fans than your stadium can hold!

  • Comment posted by stanley, at 12:21 28 Apr

    MK will win the playoff this time and sutton will be back after next season

  • Comment posted by Tesco Safeway, at 02:34 28 Apr

    MK v Crawley it is then....the horrible soulless new towns derby?

    • Reply posted by Alan_knows, at 11:42 28 Apr

      Alan_knows replied:
      I'm surprised we ever evolved from living in caves with people like you in the world!

  • Comment posted by 3robert3, at 01:56 28 Apr

    Sorry to see Sutton leaving the EFL.

  • Comment posted by Alan Walker, at 12:53 28 Apr

    I hope Steve Morison stays. And it would be great if U's could sign some of their loan players - Charlie Lakin has made a huge difference, and Duke-McKenna and Adom-Malaki look very promising.

    Whatever happens, thank you Steve, for giving Sutton hope over the last 3 months.

    And good luck, MK, in the play-offs - you played some lovely football yesterday, with a real threat in attack.

    💛🤎💛

    • Reply posted by Jared, at 16:09 28 Apr

      Jared replied:
      Lakin is too good for this level, let alone the one below.

      I have more belief that Morison will bring in the players to make a go of it than Gray would have done

  • Comment posted by Jared, at 16:05 28 Apr

    That game summed up our season. For the first half we were shockingly awful, in the second half there was a spirited effort but ultimately not enough.

    No complaints about the end result of the season, we weren’t good enough over the course of 46 games. But it was totally avoidable but sentiment got in the way. Which is the thing that frustrates and angers me.

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Stockport462711896484892
2Wrexham4626101089523788
3Mansfield462414890474386
4MK Dons462391483681578
5Doncaster46218177368571
6Crewe461914136965471
7Crawley46217187367670
8Barrow461815136256669
9Bradford461912156159269
10Wimbledon4617141564511365
11Walsall461811176973-465
12Gillingham461810184657-1164
13Harrogate461712176069-963
14Notts County46187218986361
15Morecambe461710196781-1458
16Tranmere46176236770-357
17Accrington46169216371-857
18Newport46167236276-1455
19Swindon461412207783-654
20Salford461312216682-1651
21Grimsby461116195774-1749
22Colchester461112235980-2145
23Sutton United46915225984-2542
24Forest Green46119264478-3442
View full League Two table

Elsewhere on the BBC