Ten-man MK Dons delivered a big psychological blow in the League 2 promotion race with a vital win at rivals Peterborough.

Sublime goals from Kevin Gallen and the marvellous Keith Andrews secured three points for Paul Ince's league-leaders and put Posh seven off the pace.

18-goal hotshot Aaron McLean was able to pull a goal back for the home side with 15 minutes to go but the Dons were even able to survive the dismissal of Drissa Diallo for a second booking to extend their unbeaten away run to eight games.

It was a true statement of intent from Ince's team, who fearlessly went to the home of their nearest rivals and exorcised their London Road demons.

Posh won this fixture 4-0 last season but despite the Dons' attacking 4-3-3 formation, it was made clear that Darren Ferguson's team would not have it so easy in the opening minutes.

Tackles were flying, allowing little by way of genuine chances and two good sides cancelled each other out for large parts of the opening stages.

Mark Wright and Micah Hyde do battle in midfield.

Midfielder Charlie Lee gave the Dons a fright when he smashed a 25-yard drive off Willy Gueret's crossbar but by and large, it was a midfield battle.

Andrews was in his element, battling it out with Posh skipper Micah Hyde for supremacy in the middle of the park, forced to do the defensive work that is often overlooked when his praises a sung.

But Ince has encouraged his side to pass the ball even in the most hostile environments in recent weeks and it was with quality possession that the Dons started to play their way into the game.

Dean Lewington dragged a shot well wide from distance and Colin Cameron got in behind the Posh defence only for former Dons defender Craig Morgan to make a scrambling recovery as the ball refused to come down.

Colin Cameron is outjumped by Mark Tyler.

At the other end, George Boyd planted a good headed chance wide from Mackail-Smith's left wing cross - the striker looking a menace to the Dons all afternoon.

But as the half wound down, it was Dons who went closest when Mark Wright's cross from the right was headed down by Gallen and Andrews just failed to toe the ball home at the far post.

Josh Low shot straight at Willy Gueret when well placed in first-half stoppage time, a miss that would prove costly within two minutes of the break.

Andrews drilled a quite stunning 60-yard pass on the volley from well inside his own half into the path of Gallen, who had peeled off the back of Shane Blackett.

As Blackett and Morgan tried desperately to recover, Gallen took aim from the edge of the box and crashed an unstoppable right-foot volley beyond Mark Tyler and in off the far post.

Gallen's celebrations with the 1,200 travelling Dons supporters were tremendous and Posh were rocked.

It got worse for them nine minutes later when Andrews bagged a brilliant 10th of the season with a trademark run from deep.

Keith Andrews chips a wonderful second over Posh 'keeper Mark Tyler.

Having battled to win the ball back deep in Posh territory, the Dons skipper played a neat one-two with Cameron before dinking a wonderful finish over the advancing Tyler from eight yards.

It brought wild celebrations from the Dons bench, assistant Ray Mathias punching the air down the touchline at such a significant goal.

Andrews was rampant, dictating proceedings and creating chances the Dons should have used to kill off the game.

But when his ball over the top was pulled down by Gallen, a brilliant challenge from Blackett denied Gallen the chance to shoot and Wright side footed wide with the goal gaping.

Gallen was within inches of stabbing home again on 66 minutes when Navarro centred yet another Andrews through-ball and the Dons were threatening to run away with it.

Lloyd Dyer challenges for an aerial ball at London Road.

But Posh sorted themselves out and while McLean was kept quiet by the dominant Sean O'Hanlon and Danny Swailes, good strikers find themselves in the right place at the right time.

Lee must have thought his luck was out when another brilliant drive from range smashed the underside of Gueret's crossbar, but McLean made it count by forcing the loose ball home.

Having been booked early in the half for a similar offence, Diallo saw red with 11 minutes to go when he tripped the evasive Mackail-Smith to leave the Dons hanging on by their finger tips.

But thanks to some experienced defending and some sensible hold-up play, Ince's team were able to close out the final 10 minutes without too much panic.

Ince's reaction in front of the away support after the final whistle showed the significance of the result.

The message to the rest, is catch us if you can.

Peterborough: Tyler, Gnakpa, Blackett, Morgan, Day, Low (Hughes 64), Lee (Howe 85), Hyde, Boyd, McLean, Mackail-Smith.

Subs Not Used: Jalal, Keates, Whelpdale.

Booked: Gnakpa.

Goals: Mclean 75.

Milton Keynes Dons: Gueret, Diallo, O'Hanlon, Swailes, Lewington, Wright, Navarro, Cameron (Johnson 85), Andrews, Gallen (Wilbraham 77), Dyer (Stirling 71).

Subs Not Used: Broughton, Abbey.

Sent Off: Diallo (78).

Booked: Diallo.

Goals: Gallen 47, Andrews 56.

Attendance: 10,351

Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham)