2023–24 Milton Keynes Dons F.C. season

The 2023–24 season is the 20th season in the history of Milton Keynes Dons and their first season back in League Two since the 2018–19 season following relegation from League One the previous season. The club will also compete in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

Milton Keynes Dons
2023–24 season
ChairmanPete Winkelman
Head CoachGraham Alexander
(until 16 October)[1]
Mike Williamson
(from 17 October)[2]
StadiumStadium MK
League Two4th (qualified for play-offs)
FA CupFirst round
(eliminated by Reading)
EFL CupFirst round
(eliminated by Wycombe Wanderers)
EFL TrophyRound of 32
(eliminated by Brighton & Hove Albion U21)
Top goalscorerLeague:
Max Dean (15)
All:
Max Dean (19)
Highest home attendanceAll:
11,282 vs Wrexham
(20 February 2024, League Two)
Lowest home attendanceLeague:
4,962 vs Grimsby Town
(28 November 2023)
All:
789 vs Brighton & Hove Albion U21
(5 December 2023, EFL Trophy Round of 32)
Average home league attendance6,855
Biggest win5–0 vs Walsall (H)
(29 March 2024, League Two)
Biggest defeat5–0 vs Stockport County (A)
(23 March 2024, League Two)
All statistics correct as of 11 May 2024.

The season covers the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

Managerial changes

After the departure of Mark Jackson following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, the club appointed Graham Alexander as their new head coach. Alexander had most recently been the manager of Scottish Premiership side Motherwell.[3]

On 16 October 2023, Alexander was sacked after a run of eight league games without a win, having taken charge of only sixteen games in all competitions since his appointment.[1] The following day, the club named Mike Williamson as their new head coach. Williamson had most recently been the manager of National League side Gateshead.[2]

Current squad
As of 23 March 2024
No. Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth (Age) Previous club Date signed Fee Contract end
Goalkeepers
31Ronnie SandfordGK (2005-02-24) 24 February 2005Academy1 July 2022Trainee30 June 2024
32Michael KellyGKLeixlip (1996-07-13) 13 July 1996Carlisle United9 September 2023Free30 June 2024
33Filip MarschallGKCambridge (2003-04-24) 24 April 2003Aston Villa19 January 2024Loan31 May 2024
Defenders
2Cameron NormanRBNorwich (1995-10-12) 12 October 1995 Newport County1 July 2023Free30 June 2025
3Dean Lewington (captain)LBKingston upon Thames (1984-05-18) 18 May 1984Wimbledon1 July 2002Free30 June 2024
4Jack TuckerCBWhitstable (1999-11-12) 12 November 1999Gillingham1 July 2022Undisclosed30 June 2025
5Warren O'HoraCBDublin (1999-04-19) 19 April 1999Brighton & Hove Albion18 January 2021£200,00030 June 2024
14Joe TomlinsonLBSwindon (2000-06-09) 9 June 2000Peterborough United1 September 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
21Daniel HarvieLBGlasgow (1998-07-14) 14 July 1998 Ayr United27 July 2020Undisclosed30 June 2025
26Anthony StewartCBBrixton (1992-09-18) 18 September 1992 Aberdeen1 September 2023Loan31 May 2024
29Kyran LofthouseRBOxford (2000-09-15) 15 September 2000Barnsley9 January 2024Loan31 May 2024
Midfielders
6MJ WilliamsDMBangor (1995-11-06) 6 November 1995Bolton Wanderers11 July 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
8Alex Gilbey (vice-captain)AMDagenham (1994-12-09) 9 December 1994Charlton Athletic1 July 2023Free30 June 2025
11Jack PayneAMTower Hamlets (1994-10-25) 25 October 1994Charlton Athletic30 August 2023Loan31 May 2024
17Ethan RobsonCMHoughton-le-Spring (1996-10-25) 25 October 1996Blackpool1 July 2022Free30 June 2024
19Brooklyn IlungaLMCroydon (2003-11-21) 21 November 2003Academy1 July 2021Trainee30 June 2024
24Stephen WearneAMStockton-on-Tees (2000-12-16) 16 December 2000Gateshead6 January 2024Undisclosed30 June 2027
50Lewis BateCMSidcup (2002-10-28) 28 October 2002Leeds United19 January 2024Loan31 May 2024
Forwards
9Ellis HarrisonCFNewport (1994-01-29) 29 January 1994Port Vale1 September 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
18Max DeanCFOrmskirk (2004-02-21) 21 February 2004Leeds United19 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024
22Emre TezgelCFBurton upon Trent (2005-09-19) 19 September 2005Stoke City1 February 2024Loan31 May 2024
27Dan KempRWSidcup (1999-01-11) 11 January 1999Leyton Orient31 January 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
30Matthew DennisCFHammersmith and Fulham (2002-04-15) 15 April 2002Norwich City1 July 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
Out on loan
1Craig MacGillivrayGKPerth (1993-01-12) 12 January 1993Burton Albion1 July 2023Free30 June 2025
7Jonathan LekoRW Kinshasa (1999-04-24) 24 April 1999Birmingham City13 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024
10Mohamed EisaCFKhartum (1994-07-12) 12 July 1994Peterborough United20 July 2021£1,250,00030 June 2024
12Nathan HarnessGK (2000-01-19) 19 January 2000Charlton Athletic1 July 2023Free30 June 2025
16Conor GrantCMDublin (2001-07-23) 23 July 2001Rochdale1 July 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
20Darragh BurnsRMStamullen (2002-08-06) 6 August 2002 St Patrick's Athletic4 July 2022£150,00030 June 2024
23Joel AnkerAM (2004-10-11) 11 October 2004Academy1 July 2023Trainee30 June 2024
25Phoenix ScholtzRB (2005-04-26) 26 April 2005Academy4 August 2023Trainee30 June 2024
28Dawson DevoyAMAshbourne (2001-11-20) 20 November 2001 Bohemian13 July 2022£100,00030 June 2025
34Callum TrippCM (2006-08-28) 28 August 2006Academy7 September 2023Trainee30 June 2024
35Charlie WallerCB (2005-03-11) 11 March 2005Academy1 July 2023Trainee30 June 2024
Left club during season
15Tommy SmithCB Macclesfield (1990-03-31) 31 March 1990Colchester United28 July 2023Free30 June 2025
22Ashley HunterLWDerby (1995-09-29) 29 September 1995Morecambe4 August 2023Free30 June 2025

Transfers

In
Date Pos Player Transferred from Fee Ref
1 July 2023AM Alex Gilbey Charlton AthleticFree Transfer[4]
GK Nathan Harness Charlton AthleticFree Transfer[5]
GK Craig MacGillivray Burton AlbionFree Transfer[6]
RB Cameron Norman Newport CountyFree Transfer[7]
12 July 2023DM MJ Williams Bolton WanderersUndisclosed[8]
28 July 2023CB Tommy Smith Colchester UnitedFree Transfer[9]
4 August 2023LW Ashley Hunter MorecambeFree Transfer[10]
1 September 2023LB Joe Tomlinson Peterborough UnitedUndisclosed[11]
CF Ellis Harrison Port ValeUndisclosed[12]
9 September 2023GK Michael Kelly Carlisle UnitedFree Transfer[13]
6 January 2024AM Stephen Wearne GatesheadUndisclosed[14]

Out
Date Pos Player Transferred to Fee Ref
22 June 2023CF Will Grigg ChesterfieldUndisclosed[15]
30 June 2023CB Jack Davies Banbury UnitedReleased[16][17]
CM Junior Gyamfi Watford U21Released[16][18]
CM Bradley Johnson Derby CountyReleased[16][19]
LW Lewis Johnson Free agentReleased[16]
LW Sullay Kaikai Cambridge UnitedReleased[16][20]
GK David Martin Southend UnitedReleased[16][21]
CM Josh McEachran Oxford UnitedReleased[16][22]
GK Franco Ravizzoli Wycombe WanderersReleased[16][23]
RB Tennai Watson Charlton AthleticReleased[16][24]
22 July 2023CB Charlie Smith BerkhamstedFree Transfer[25]
28 July 2023CB Zak Jules Exeter CityUndisclosed[26]
5 August 2023DM Matt Smith St JohnstoneUndisclosed[27]
24 August 2023LW Nathan Holland Forest Green RoversUndisclosed[28]
26 January 2024LW Ashley Hunter AFC FyldeMutual Consent[29][30]
6 February 2024CB Tommy Smith Macarthur FCMutual Consent[31]

Loaned in
Date Pos Player Loaned from Until Ref
30 August 2023AM Jack Payne Charlton AthleticEnd of Season[32]
1 September 2023CB Anthony Stewart AberdeenEnd of Season[33]
9 January 2024RB Kyran Lofthouse BarnsleyEnd of Season[34]
19 January 2024GK Filip Marschall Aston VillaEnd of Season[35]
CM Lewis Bate Leeds UnitedEnd of Season[36]
1 February 2024CF Emre Tezgel Stoke CityEnd of Season[37]

Loaned out
Date Pos Player Loaned to Until Ref
18 July 2023RW Dan Kemp Swindon Town1 January 2024[lower-alpha 1][38][39]
12 August 2023GK Ronnie Sandford King's Lynn TownSeptember 2023[40]
3 October 2023CB Charlie Waller Billericay Town31 October 2023[41]
25 November 2023LM Brooklyn Ilunga Wealdstone28 January 2024[42][43]
CB Charlie Waller Banbury United23 December 2023[44]
8 December 2023RB Phoenix Scholtz Kettering TownTBD[45]
15 December 2023AM Joel Anker Biggleswade TownTBD[46]
2 January 2024RM Darragh Burns Shamrock Rovers1 November 2024[47]
5 January 2024AM Dawson Devoy Swindon TownEnd of Season[48]
18 January 2024GK Craig MacGillivray StevenageEnd of Season[49]
26 January 2024RW Jonathan Leko Burton AlbionEnd of Season[50]
30 January 2024CF Mohamed Eisa Exeter CityEnd of Season[51]
2 February 2024CM Conor Grant BarnsleyEnd of Season[52]
15 March 2024CM Callum Tripp St Albans CityEnd of Season[53]
22 March 2024AM Joel Anker Hitchin TownTBD[54]
23 March 2024GK Nathan Harness GatesheadEnd of Season[55]
  1. Kemp originally joined Swindon Town on a season-long loan, but was recalled by the club on 1 January 2024

Pre-season and friendlies

The club's first pre-season friendly was announced on 1 June 2023, with an away fixture against National League side Wealdstone.[56] A day later two more friendlies were announced, with the club facing both Coventry City and Northampton Town at Stadium MK.[57] A fourth pre-season friendly was also announced on June 5, against Barnet.[58]

The club also played a behind closed doors fixture whilst on a short training camp in Germany,[59] playing newly promoted 2. Bundesliga team VfL Osnabrück.[60]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

11 July 2023 Friendly Wealdstone 2–1 Milton Keynes Dons London (Ruislip)
19:45 BST Dyer 26'
McGregor 86'		 Report Dean 82' Stadium: Grosvenor Vale
Referee: J Richardson
15 July 2023 Friendly Barnet 1–1 Milton Keynes Dons London (Canons Park)
15:00 BST Barratt 12' Report Eisa 54' Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: 902 (283 away)
21 July 2023 Friendly VfL Osnabrück 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons Barsinghausen, Germany
15:00 BST Makridis 49' Report Dean  76' Attendance: Behind closed doors
25 July 2023 Friendly Milton Keynes Dons 1–5 Coventry City Milton Keynes
19:00 BST Leko 2' (pen.) Report Simms 43', 45'
Eccles 65'
Palmer 71'
Stretton 89'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 4,186
29 July 2023 Friendly Milton Keynes Dons 1–3 Northampton Town Milton Keynes
15:00 BST O'Hora 59' Report Pinnock 8'
Abimbola 87'
Fox 88'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 3,087 (1,073 away)
Referee: Alan Young

Competitions

Overall record
Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League Two 5 August 2023 27 April 2024 Matchday 1 4th 46 23 9 14 83 68 +15 050.00
FA Cup 4 November 2023 First round First round 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 000.00
EFL Cup 8 August 2023 First round First round 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00
EFL Trophy 29 August 2023 5 December 2023 Group stage Round of 32 4 3 0 1 8 7 +1 075.00
Play-offs 7 May 2024 11 May 2024 Semi final Semi final 2 0 0 2 1 8 −7 000.00
Total 54 26 9 19 94 88 +6 048.15

Last updated: 11 May 2024
Source: Soccerway

EFL League Two
Main article: 2023–24 EFL League Two

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Stockport County (C, P) 46 27 11 8 96 48 +48 92 Promoted to EFL League One
2 Wrexham (P) 46 26 10 10 89 52 +37 88
3 Mansfield Town (P) 46 24 14 8 90 47 +43 86
4 Milton Keynes Dons 46 23 9 14 83 68 +15 78 Qualified for League Two play-offs
5 Doncaster Rovers 46 21 8 17 73 68 +5 71
6 Crewe Alexandra 46 19 14 13 69 65 +4 71
7 Crawley Town (O, P) 46 21 7 18 73 67 +6 70
Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[61]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
46 23 9 14 83 68  +15 78 14 5 4 47 26  +21 9 4 10 36 42  −6

Last updated: 27 April 2024.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round
Round12345678910111213141516171920222324252628291813031323334273353621237383940414243444546
GroundAHAAHAHHAHAAHAHHAAHHAHHAAHHHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAAHAH
ResultWWLWWLDLDLDLDLWWDWDWWWWLWLWWLWLWDWLWWLWLWDWLWD
Position3142124910111116161816121313111197687766666555554544443444
Points3669121213131414151516161922232627303336393942424548485151545558586164646767707174747778
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2024. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed
Notes:
  • 1 Matchday 18 (vs AFC Wimbledon) was postponed due to international call-ups.
  • 2 Matchday 21 (vs Mansfield Town) was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
  • 3 Matchday 27 (vs Wrexham) was postponed due to Wrexham's FA Cup involvement.

Matches

The league fixtures for the 2023–24 season were announced on 22 June 2023.[62] The club's opening game of the season will be away to newly promoted Wrexham on 5 August 2023 with the final game of the season being at home to Sutton United on 27 April 2024.[63]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 August 2023 (2023-08-05) 1 Wrexham 3–5 Milton Keynes Dons Wrexham
15:00 BST O'Connell  11'
Lee  23'
Mendy 42'
Davies 82'
Forde 90+6'		 Report O'Connell 6' (o.g.)
Eisa 10',  11'
Leko 51', 64'
Norman  68'
MacGillivray  84'
Harvie 90+4'		 Stadium: STōK Racecourse
Attendance: 10,205 (1,115 away)
Referee: Tom Reeves
12 August 2023 (2023-08-12) 2 Milton Keynes Dons 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Eisa 7',  37'
MacGillivray  77'		 Report Davies  27' Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,831 (819 away)
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
15 August 2023 (2023-08-15) 3 Crawley Town 2–1 Milton Keynes Dons Crawley
19:45 BST Tsaroulla 16'
Orsi 52'
Williams  90+8'		 Report Eisa 27'
Robson  65'
Hunter  90+8'		 Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 3,282 (505 away)
Referee: Daniel Middleton
19 August 2023 (2023-08-19) 4 Colchester United 2–3 Milton Keynes Dons Colchester
15:00 BST Taylor 10', 14'
Ihionvien  42'
Fevrier  45+2'
Chilvers  67'
Tchamadeu  81'
Egbo  85'		 Report Eisa 8',  45+5'
Harvie  82'
Gilbey  84', 88'
Grant  90+6'
Dennis 90+9'		 Stadium: JobServe Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,857 (569 away)
Referee: Carl Brook
26 August 2023 (2023-08-26) 5 Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 Doncaster Rovers Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Harvie 16'
Smith  25'
O'Hora 33'		 Report Senior  42'
Molyneux 56'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,697 (535 away)
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
2 September 2023 (2023-09-02) 6 Crewe Alexandra 3–1 Milton Keynes Dons Crewe
15:00 BST Thomas  55', 62'
Baker-Richardson 69'
O'Riordan  90'
Long 90'
Rowe  90+2'
Davies  90+3'		 Report Leko 8'
Gilbey  75'		 Stadium: Mornflake Stadium
Attendance: 3,927 (505 away)
Referee: Peter Wright
9 September 2023 (2023-09-09) 7 Milton Keynes Dons 1–1 Notts County Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Harvie 46'
Smith  90+1'		 Report Cameron 66' Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 8,011 (2,762 away)
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
16 September 2023 (2023-09-16) 8 Milton Keynes Dons 1–2 Stockport County Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Eisa 26'
Robson  58'
Smith  62'
Gilbey  72'
Harvie  83'		 Report Barry 17',  75'
Powell 45+2'
Pye  88'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 7,085 (1,064 away)
Referee: Edward Duckworth
23 September 2023 (2023-09-23) 9 Sutton United 1–1 Milton Keynes Dons London (Sutton)
15:00 BST Sowunmi 37' Report Gilbey 53'
Williams  71'		 Stadium: VBS Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,288 (691 away)
Referee: Thomas Kirk
30 September 2023 (2023-09-30) 10 Milton Keynes Dons 0–1 Harrogate Town Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Williams  54'
Ilunga  90+5'
Dean  90+6'		 Report O'Hora 41' (o.g.)
Oxley  43'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,251 (138 away)
Referee: Martin Coy
3 October 2023 (2023-10-03) 11 Walsall 0–0 Milton Keynes Dons Walsall
19:45 BST McEntee  24'
Hutchinson  41'
Williams  53'		 Report Harrison  24'
Gilbey  66'
Norman  67'		 Stadium: Poundland Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 4,515 (245 away)
Referee: Chris Pollard
7 October 2023 (2023-10-07) 12 Gillingham 2–1 Milton Keynes Dons Gillingham
15:00 BST Bonne 26'
Malone  35', 55'
Turner  73'		 Report Williams  58'
Harvie  62'  90+2'
Dean  81'
Harrison 82'
Stewart  90'		 Stadium: MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 6,119 (323 away)
Referee: Darren Drysdale
14 October 2023 (2023-10-14) 13 Milton Keynes Dons 2–2 Barrow Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Robson  6'
Dean 12', 35'
Norman  49'		 Report Gotts  45+1'
Whitfield 90+3'
Acquah 90+5'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,725 (278 away)
Referee: Will Finnie
21 October 2023 (2023-10-21) 14 Accrington Stanley 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons Accrington
15:00 BST Whalley 32',  61'
Woods  41'		 Report Harvie  56' Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 1,995 (208 away)
Referee: Simon Mather
24 October 2023 (2023-10-24) 15 Milton Keynes Dons 4–1 Bradford City Milton Keynes
19:45 BST Tomlinson 4'
Payne 31'
Dean 59'
Gilbey 90'		 Report Gilliead 17'
Taylor  30'
McDonald  39'
Ridehalgh  52'
Stubbs  70'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,510 (780 away)
Referee: Matthew Corlett
28 October 2023 (2023-10-28) 16 Milton Keynes Dons 3–2 Swindon Town Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Grant  27'
Dean 39'
Harvie  54'
O'Hora 66'
McEachran 84' (o.g.)
Eisa  90+6'		 Report Clayton  29'
Khan  37'
McEachran  53'
Young 59'
Austin  86'
Blake-Tracy 90+4'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 7,821 (2,595 away)
Referee: Ross Joyce
11 November 2023 (2023-11-11) 17 Newport County 0–0 Milton Keynes Dons Newport
15:00 GMT Bogle  15'
Evans  45+2'		 Report Norman  67'
Payne  90+5'		 Stadium: Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,777 (345 away)
Referee: Ben Atkinson
25 November 2023 (2023-11-25) 19 Salford City 2–4 Milton Keynes Dons Salford
15:00 GMT Lund  33'
N'Mai 36'
Watson 45+2' (pen.)
Mariappa  64'		 Report Dean 10'
Tomlinson 50', 72',  73'
Williams  67'
Harrison 88'		 Stadium: Peninsula Stadium
Attendance: 2,508 (440 away)
Referee: Scott Jackson
28 November 2023 (2023-11-28) 20 Milton Keynes Dons 1–1 Grimsby Town Milton Keynes
19:45 GMT Williams  45+7'
Payne 66'		 Report Pyke 20'
Conteh  64'
Ainley  85'
Wilson  90'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 4,962 (610 away)
Referee: Peter Wright
16 December 2023 (2023-12-16) 22 Milton Keynes Dons 2–0 Forest Green Rovers Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Dean 21',  53'
Payne 35'
Norman  44'
E Robson  57'
Harvie  89'		 Report Jones  2'
J Robson  53'
Inniss  75'
Moore-Taylor  90'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,033 (171 away)
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
23 December 2023 (2023-12-23) 23 Morecambe 1–3 Milton Keynes Dons Morecambe
15:00 GMT Connolly  27'
McKiernan 49',  52'
Slew  90+6'		 Dean 31', 90+7'
Williams  41'
Tomlinson 69'		 Stadium: Mazuma Mobile Stadium
Attendance: 4,551 (183 away)
Referee: Lewis Smith
26 December 2023 (2023-12-26) 24 Milton Keynes Dons 1–0 Colchester United Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Williams  48'
Payne  55'
Dean  83'
Harrison 89'		 Report Read  66' Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,335 (552 away)
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
29 December 2023 (2023-12-29) 25 Milton Keynes Dons 2–0 Crawley Town Milton Keynes
19:45 GMT Tomlinson 2'
Dean  17'
Grant  18'
Gilbey  61', 82'		 Report Maguire  8'  85' Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,945 (380 away)
Referee: Ross Joyce
1 January 2024 (2024-01-01) 26 Doncaster Rovers 3–0 Milton Keynes Dons Doncaster
15:00 GMT Molyneux 8',  22'
Ironside 14'
Senior  32'
Rowe 43'		 Report Eisa  45+3'
Dean  74'
Lewington  76'
Robson  90+5'		 Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium
Attendance: 6,151 (517 away)
Referee: Thomas Parsons
13 January 2024 (2024-01-13) 28 Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Milton Keynes Dons Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Morris 12'
Apter  45+2'		 Report Gilbey 9'
Harrison 90+7'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 6,861 (344 away)
Referee: Darren Drysdale
20 January 2024 (2024-01-20) 29 Milton Keynes Dons 1–2 Morecambe Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Dean 2',  10'
Tomlinson  21'		 Report Bedeau  35'
Slew 51'
Brown 90+2',  90+6'
Stokes  90+8'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,099 (193 away)
Referee: Marc Edwards
23 January 2024 (2024-01-23) 18[64] Milton Keynes Dons 3–1 AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes
19:45 GMT Kemp 10'
Johnson 16' (o.g.)
O'Hora 22'
Payne  79'		 Report Little 53'
Tilley  56'
Biler  65'
Kalambayi  73'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,278 (651 away)
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 18 November, but was postponed because of international call-ups.[65]
27 January 2024 (2024-01-27) 30 Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 Gillingham Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Payne  69'
Williams 79'
Gilbey 88'		 Report Walker 90' Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,723 (1,380 away)
Referee: Carl Brook
3 February 2024 31 Barrow 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons Barrow-in-Furness
15:00 GMT Canavan  38'
Ray  55'
Stockton 78'
Farman  90+6'		 Report Williams  51'
Tomlinson  53'		 Stadium: SO Legal Stadium
Attendance: 3,501 (275 away)
Referee: Tom Reeves
10 February 2024 32 Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 Accrington Stanley Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Payne 71',  77'
Tomlinson 90+3'		 Report Nolan 11',  90'
Gubbins  29'
Martin  34'
Conneely  58'
Woods  65'
O'Brien  79'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,508 (102 away)
Referee: Declan Bourne
13 February 2024 33 Bradford City 4–0 Milton Keynes Dons Bradford
19:45 GMT Platt 14'
Kavanagh 36'
McDonald  44'
Gilliead  45+3'
Cook 49',  76'
Oduor 51'
Smallwood  59'
Tomkinson  71'		 Report Robson  90' Stadium: University of Bradford Stadium
Attendance: 16,234
Referee: Ollie Yates
17 February 2024 34 Swindon Town 1–2 Milton Keynes Dons Swindon
15:00 GMT Khan  45'
McKirdy  75'
Austin 89'		 Report Wearne 4', 8'
Bate  29'		 Stadium: The County Ground
Attendance: 8,789 (697 away)
Referee: Scott Tallis
20 February 2024 (2024-02-20) 27[66] Milton Keynes Dons 1–1 Wrexham Milton Keynes
19:45 GMT Kemp 26'
Lewington  60'
Harvie  82'
Gilbey  90+5'
O'Hora  90+8'		 Report McClean 22'
Boyle  49'  77'
O'Connell  62'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 11,282 (1,436 away)
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 6 January, but was postponed due to Wrexham's involvement in the FA Cup third round.[67]
24 February 2024 35 Milton Keynes Dons 3–0 Newport County Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Kemp 12'
Payne 23'
Gilbey 29',  83'
Tomlinson  88'		 Report Wildig  25'
Morris  31'
Evans  85'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,354 (512 away)
Referee: Ben Atkinson
2 March 2024 36 AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons London (Wimbledon)
12:30 GMT
Report
Stadium: The Cherry Red Records Stadium
Attendance: 8,182
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Note: Fixture was originally given a 15:00 kick-off, but was brought forward to 12:30.[68]
5 March 2024 21[69] Mansfield Town 1–2 Milton Keynes Dons Mansfield
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: One Call Stadium
Attendance: 7,414 (370 away)
Referee: Lee Swabey
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 9 December, but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[70]
9 March 2024 (2024-03-09) 37 Milton Keynes Dons 3–1 Salford City Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,544 (187 away)
Referee: Dean Whitestone
12 March 2024 (2024-03-12) 38 Grimsby Town 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons Cleethorpes
19:45 GMT
Report Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 5,659 (153 away)
Referee: Aaron Bannister
16 March 2024 (2024-03-16) 39 Milton Keynes Dons 3–1 Crewe Alexandra Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,661 (719 away)
Referee: Paul Howard
23 March 2024 (2024-03-23) 40 Stockport County 5–0 Milton Keynes Dons Stockport
17:15 GMT
Report
Stadium: Edgeley Park
Attendance: 9,727 (568 away)
Referee: Marc Edwards
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled to kick-off at 15:00, but was moved back for live Sky Sports coverage.[71]
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29) 41 Milton Keynes Dons 5–0 Walsall Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 8,121 (1,513 away)
Referee: Edward Duckworth
1 April 2024 (2024-04-01) 42 Notts County 3–3 Milton Keynes Dons Nottingham
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 10,439 (1,168 away)
Referee: Scott Simpson
6 April 2024 (2024-04-06) 43 Forest Green Rovers 0–2 Milton Keynes Dons Nailsworth
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: The Bolt New Lawn
Attendance: 2,507 (571 away)
Referee: Andy Davies
13 April 2024 (2024-04-13) 44 Milton Keynes Dons 1–4 Mansfield Town Milton Keynes
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 11,212 (3,653 away)
Referee: Ben Speedie
20 April 2024 (2024-04-20) 45 Harrogate Town 3–5 Milton Keynes Dons Harrogate
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: The EnviroVent Stadium
Attendance: 3,572 (573 away)
Referee: David Webb
27 April 2024 (2024-04-27) 46 Milton Keynes Dons 4–4 Sutton United Milton Keynes
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 8,685 (860 away)
Referee: Thomas Parsons

Play-offs
Main article: 2024 English Football League play-offs

The club finished the regular season in fourth place in the league table and met Crawley Town, the team that finished seventh, over two legs in the play-offs.[72] The first leg took place at Broadfield Stadium with the second leg at Stadium MK.

The first leg was due to take place on 6 May, but was postponed until the following day due to a waterlogged pitch. As a result the second leg, originally scheduled for 9 May, was rescheduled to 11 May.[73]

7 May 2024 (2024-05-07) Semi-final Leg 1 Crawley Town 3–0 Milton Keynes Dons Crawley
19:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,564 (575 away)
Referee: Ross Joyce
Note: Fixture live on Sky Sports
11 May 2024 (2024-05-11) Semi-final Leg 2 Milton Keynes Dons 1–5
(1–8 agg.)		 Crawley Town Milton Keynes
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 10,053 (1,630 away)
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
Note: Fixture live on Sky Sports

FA Cup
Main article: 2023–24 FA Cup

In the first round proper, the club were drawn away to Reading.[74]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

4 November 2023 (2023-11-04) First round Reading 3–2 Milton Keynes Dons Reading
15:00 GMT Ehibhatiomhan 3'
Elliott  28'
Hutchinson  49'
Knibbs 64',  77'
Wing 68'		 Report Gilbey 39'
Dean 90+3',  90+4'		 Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 4,325 (635 away)
Referee: Thomas Kirk

EFL Cup
Main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup

The club were drawn at home to Wycombe Wanderers in the first round.[75]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

8 August 2023 (2023-08-08) First round Milton Keynes Dons 0–2 Wycombe Wanderers Milton Keynes
19:45 BST Hunter  15'
O'Hora  30'		 Report Tafazolli  37'
Hanlan 73'
Forino-Joseph 82'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 2,946 (635 away)
Referee: James Bell

EFL Trophy
Main article: 2023–24 EFL Trophy

In the group stage draw, MK Dons were drawn into Southern Group F alongside Northampton Town, Oxford United and Chelsea U21s.[76][77]

After topping the group, the club were drawn at home to Brighton & Hove Albion U21s in the Round of 32 draw.[78]

Group stage

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L2 Milton Keynes Dons 3 3 0 0 0 8 3 +5 9 Advance to Round 2
2 L1 Oxford United 3 2 0 0 1 8 2 +6 6
3 ACA Chelsea U21 3 0 1 0 2 3 11 −8 2
4 L1 Northampton Town 3 0 0 1 2 5 8 −3 1
Updated to match(es) played on 7 November 2023. Source: EFL.com

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

29 August 2023 (2023-08-29) Group stage Milton Keynes Dons 4–1 Chelsea U21 Milton Keynes
19:00 BST Dennis 9'
Scholtz  14'
Leko 56',  68'
Devoy  60'
Hunter  66'
Dean 70', 79'		 Report Morgan 32'
McNeilly  82'
Boniface  90+4'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 1,704 (284 away)
Referee: Jacob Miles
19 September 2023 (2023-09-19) Group stage Oxford United 0–1 Milton Keynes Dons Oxford
19:00 BST McEachran  49' Report Stewart  4'
Tomlinson  39'
Lewington  45'
Payne 56' (pen.)
Tripp  67'
Harvie  69'		 Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,588 (143 away)
Referee: Alan Young
21 November 2023 (2023-11-21) Group stage Milton Keynes Dons 3–2 Northampton Town Milton Keynes
19:00 GMT Waller 56'
Burns 64'
Devoy 83'		 Report Simpson  28', 82' (pen.)
Monthé 36'
Hondermarck  85'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 1,648 (427 away)
Referee: Sam Purkiss

Knockout stages
5 December 2023 (2023-12-05) Round of 32 Milton Keynes Dons 0–4 Brighton & Hove Albion U21 Milton Keynes
19:00 GMT Devoy  78' Report Chouchane 50' (pen.)
Knight 68'
Duffus  72'
McConville 89'
Bashir 90+2'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 789 (55 away)
Referee: Neil Hair

Club statistics

Goalscorers
Correct as of match played on 11 May 2024
Note: The list is sorted by surname when total goals are equal.
Rank No. Pos. Player League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Play-offs Total
118FW Max Dean15102119
28MF Alex Gilbey13100014
39FW Ellis Harrison800008
411MF Jack Payne600107
14DF Joe Tomlinson70000
630FW Matthew Dennis400105
10FW Mohamed Eisa50000
87FW Jonathan Leko300104
22FW Emre Tezgel40000
24MF Stephen Wearne40000
1121DF Daniel Harvie300003
27FW Dan Kemp30000
5DF Warren O'Hora30000
1420MF Darragh Burns000101
28MF Dawson Devoy00010
29DF Kyran Lofthouse10000
35DF Charlie Waller00010
6MF MJ Williams10000
Own goals300003
Totals83208194

Home attendances
Correct as of match played on 11 May 2024
Note: The list omits the FA Cup as the club did not play a home match in the competition.
Competition Total Matches Highest Lowest Average
League Two157,6732311,2824,9626,855
EFL Cup2,94612,9462,946
EFL Trophy4,14131,7047891,380
Play-offs10,053110,05310,053
Totals174,813286,243

Awards
Recipient Award Month Ref
Graham AlexanderEFL League Two Manager of the MonthAugust[79]
Max DeanEFL Young Player of the MonthOctober[80]
Mike WilliamsonEFL League Two Manager of the MonthDecember[81]
Dean LewingtonEFL League Two Player of the Month
Callum TrippEFL League Two Apprentice of the Seasonn/a[82]
Alex GilbeyEFL League Two Goal of the MonthMarch[83]

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