KARL Robinson was thrilled to end a gruelling week with a memorable victory as Oxford United fought back to beat MK Dons.
The U’s were on the road for the third time in seven days, after drawing at Sunderland and beating Doncaster Rovers.
They went behind to Hiram Boateng’s early strike, but second-half goals from Matty Taylor and Mark Sykes gave United their first victory at Stadium:MK.
The winner, which came 11 minutes from time, sparked wild scenes in the 2,192-strong away end as the U’s beat a promotion rival to move fifth in Sky Bet League One.
Robinson said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic, this is a fantastic win for us.
“It’s more the emotion of the week, you feel tired for what you’ve gone through and all the late nights.
“It was a very difficult week and to come out of the other side with seven points makes me very proud.”
The U’s head coach added: “Our performance was incredible.
“Our first-half performance was very calculated, I don’t think they deserved to go ahead in the way that they did.
“Easty (Simon Eastwood) should have done better with the goal, but the save he made in the second half is the save of the season.
“I thought that would have been very unfair on us.”
Eastwood made an excellent point-blank reaction save to deny Dons substitute Charlie Brown just three minutes after Sykes gave United the lead.
It capped a determined display from the U’s back five, dampened slightly by a second yellow card for Jordan Thorniley deep in stoppage-time that rules him out of next week’s visit of Wigan Athletic.
The centre back was otherwise excellent and appeared to be struggling early in the second half, only to collect himself and carry on.
Robinson paid tribute to his defence, adding: “He (Thorniley) got an elbow in his throat and couldn’t get his breath.
“I don’t see any shirts with Long on the back, Moore or Thorniley, I see Taylor and Brannagan everywhere.
“I’m telling you now, if I could buy a shirt I would have one of their names.
“They mean the world to me.”
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