Irish nearly responded through a great opportunity created by Shepherd, who slid a pass to R. Smith. However, one-on-one with the keeper, Smith’s strike was saved. 

Shrieves provided some promising moments down the flank, regularly getting into good crossing positions, but Winslow packed their box and managed to clear any danger. Winslow, content with their early lead, employed some time-wasting tactics, much to the frustration of Irish and their supporters.

Winslow broke away on a couple of occasions, but their efforts were either comfortably saved by Ladyman or fired over the bar. Shrieves, trying to inspire a comeback, had a few speculative efforts from distance, but none troubled the Winslow keeper.

HALF-TIME: MK Irish 0-1 Winslow United

Irish came out for the second half with renewed energy, controlling the game and looking for an equaliser. Shrieves and R. Smith linked up well, but their attempts were continually thwarted by a determined Winslow defence.

Controversy struck when Shrieves appeared to be fouled inside the box, only for the referee to wave away the penalty claims. Moments later, Winslow took full advantage of a rare second-half attack, doubling their lead after a calm finish inside the box following a flicked-on throw-in.

MK Irish almost responded immediately when substitute Coleman, with his first touch, put an effort over the bar from a Shrieves cross. Irish continued to press, and Winslow’s defence held firm, blocking shots and disrupting play wherever possible. Coleman had another effort that he put just wide and Zawe saw his cross loop up onto the top of the crossbar.

It was starting to feel like a goal would never come when Brooks somehow saw his effort knocked onto the post by the keepers outstretched foot.

With time running out, MK Irish finally found a breakthrough. A corner routine saw the ball fall to Brito, who unleashed a powerful 25-yard strike that rocketed into the net, giving the home side hope. The momentum shifted entirely in Irish’s favour, and they pushed forward for an equaliser.

In the 88th minute, they were rewarded for their persistence. After a well-worked move, that somehow saw Shrieves’ shot saved by the keeper, 18 year old debutant O’Neil smashed in a rebound to level the score at 2-2 despite a Winslow defender trying to save it with his hand on the line.

With added time looming due to earlier time-wasting from Winslow, MK Irish sensed an opportunity to complete the comeback.

Spence was played clean through on goal, but the linesman controversially flagged for offside, despite Spence appearing to run past a player to receive the ball. 

Moments later, Spence was played in behind again, with Shrieves rushing forward in support. Spence opted to take the ball into the area, but his cross-shot from a tight angle was comfortably claimed by the Winslow keeper.

In the 4th minute of added time, Winslow’s hopes of holding on were dealt a further blow when they were reduced to ten men. A high challenge with studs up on Spence’s shin saw the referee show a straight red card to the Winslow player.

Brito played a smart freekick into R. Smith’s feet, who spun and fired a shot on target, but the Winslow keeper was equal to it with a solid save. The pressure was relentless from Irish as they pushed for a winner.

Then, the moment to seal it seemed to arrive. A cross from O’Neil was fumbled by the keeper, and Shrieves picked up the loose ball, rounded a defender, and struck towards goal. A Winslow defender cleared it off the line, but the ball fell to Spence. His first effort was blocked, and then it dropped to R. Smith, who laid it back to Spence again. The midfielder fired at goal once more, but heroic defending from Winslow saw a defender throw his body in front of the shot to somehow deny the winning goal.

That would be the final action of the game, as the referee blew for full time just after.

Tensions boiled over after the final whistle as a Winslow player was shown a straight red card for headbutting Ladyman during the post-match handshakes. 

FULL-TIME: MK Irish 2-2 Winslow United

Goalscorers: B. Brito (80′), C. O’Neil (88′)

Man of the Match: C. O’Neil