OXFORD United got their reward for refusing to give up hope at MK Dons, says Elliot Lee.

The Luton Town loanee headed a 97th-minute equaliser to snatch a draw for the U’s, which cut the gap to the Sky Bet League One play-off places to four points.

United’s late rally at Stadium MK appeared in vain, after home goalkeeper Andrew Fisher was only booked for bringing down Dan Agyei when the forward was through on goal and Anthony Forde striking the post.

But Lee’s close-range header cancelled out Andrew Surman’s 13th-minute strike and the 26-year-old felt the draw showed United’s spirit.

Highlights: Watch the key moments from Oxford United's draw at MK Dons

He said: “I’ll always go to the end, that’s the sort of character I am.

“I’ll always keep believing that all I need is one chance.

“Barring a couple of half-chances, I think that was my only real one.

“We always keep going – that’s the type of bunch we are and that’ll take us far.

“If we can turn one point into three points and keep moving up the table we’re right in the mix.”

Although United were furious at James Oldham’s decision not to send off Fisher, they were grateful to the referee at full-time.

The official played beyond the initial six minutes of stoppage-time after booking Dons wing-back Ethan Laird for taking too long over a throw-in.

Player ratings: What we thought of Oxford United at MK Dons

Lee said: “It probably wasn’t the referee’s best game, I think he’d be the first to admit that.

“To be fair to the ref, he did well in adding the time on because they were very slow at doing certain things.”

Lee was also at the centre of the U’s 4-2-3-1 formation, in the No 10 role.

The forward enjoyed playing behind Matty Taylor, with Mide Shodipo and Brandon Barker either side, but admitted they were not ruthless enough.

He said: “At half-time we said as a front four we need to be more clinical.

“It was the first time all four of us had played together and it takes time to gel.”

U’s head coach Karl Robinson was full of praise for the January signing, son of ex-England midfielder Rob Lee.

He said: “I called his dad when I was thinking of bringing his son in and he said ‘you’ll like him’.

“He’s my type of player – he’s energetic, he’s got desire, he’s not fearful.

“Sometimes you get flair players who pull out of things, but he’s got a nasty streak to him.

“He gets in a little strop every now and then, but that’s just because he cares.”