Relentless MK Dons opened up a four-point gap at the top of League Two as Mark Wright's late strike broke 10-man Hereford.

Wright, back in the side because of an injury to Jude Stirling, volleyed home Aaron Wilbraham's knockdown three minutes from time to hand Paul Ince's team a ninth-straight win.

For long periods it looked as though Hereford would have enough to frustrate the league-leaders as they defended doggedly following striker Steve Guinan's dismissal in first-half injury time.

Guinan got his marching orders after a crude lunge on Lloyd Dyer - referee Paul Mellin seemingly judging the tackle as a violent one and handing him a straight red.

But as can often be the case with 10 men, the home side put up a stubborn resistance in the second period that looked to have Paul Ince's men stumped.

Alan Navarro challenges Lionel Ainsworth.

That was until Wright pounced after Wilbraham headed down a Keith Andrews cross, and lashed the ball beyond Wayne Brown to silence the Edgar Street faithful.

It was a win that could prove so crucial when places are being decided at the end of the season as you can be sure that few of the Dons' promotion rivals will come here and leave with much.

A tight pitch with vociferous support, Edgar Street will be the undoing of many this season and the Dons had to be alive in defence early on to prevent themselves falling behind.

Eighteen-year-old livewire Theo Robinson pulled a long ball into the box down dangerously on six minutes, and though Sean O'Hanlon's challenge was enough to prevent the shot, the rebound fell to former Wycombe man Clint Easton.

Lloyd Dyer holds off former Don Trent McClenahan.

It took a while to come down and gave Dons 'keeper Willy Gueret time to get out and smother the shot.

Ince's troops were unable to find their usual rhythm and the Bulls forced them back early-on to the delight of the home support.

John McCombe, drafted in to the Hereford defence for the injured Dean Beckwith, was keeping the Dons attack under wraps with some particularly physical challenges on Leon Knight.

But he nearly had a bigger impact at the other end, diving to meet the ball after Robinson had headed back Guinan's cross, and forcing a full-stretch save from Gueret.

The home side were right on the front foot and Gueret was again called into action on 23 minutes, saving well from Ben Smith's drive and grateful to see the flag go up before Robinson tucked in the rebound.

Aaron Wilbraham in action at Edgar Street.

But once the Dons kept some decent possession, they were able to pick holes in the Bulls defence and the chances began to flow.

Alan Navarro scuffed a shot from 20 yards when well-placed and Drissa Diallo met an Andrews free-kick flush on the volley only for the ball to fly wide of the far post.

The home side seemed to go into themselves a little as the Dons upped the pressure and when Wright's cross from the right was only partially cleared, Danny Swailes hit a well-timed volley just wide.

Wilbraham was showing his adaptability as the Dons continued to create, first showing strength to head down for Knight to volley just wide and then sliding a lovely ball in behind for the same man. Knight was set to pull the trigger but Kris Taylor timed his challenge brilliantly in the box to clear.

But arguably the game-changing moment came four minutes into added time at the end of the first half as Guinan completely lost his cool.

Sean O'Hanlon and Alan Navarro challenge for a ball in the air.

Dallying on the ball half-way inside the Dons half, the striker was hustled out of possession by the hunting pack of Andrews and Dyer.

The former fed the latter to lead the break but a frustrated Guinan had other ideas, scything down the Dons winger seemingly without a thought for the ball.

Referee Paul Melin produced a red card immediately to Guinan's disbelief.

With the force firmly with them, the Dons came out like a train in the second half and Knight was within a whisker of converting Dyer's cross after another exciting burst from the little winger.

The best Hereford managed in reply was an ambitious volley from Smith from 30 yards that went high and wide but Knight pressed them back again, making a good break down the right before his cross evaded Wright in the centre.

Mark Wright celebrates his winner.

While the Dons were getting good possession in midfield they were unable to find a final pass and frustrations started to grow as Hereford held firm.

But the Dons were able to commit more and more bodies forward as when Hereford did escape their own half, they didn't get the support forward to Robinson to keep it there.

Ince's intentions were clear with Jemal Johnson, Bally Smart and Colin Cameron all introduced and, as has been their trait this season, the Dons have always got a chance in them.

And so it proved as Andrews resisted the temptation to shoot when well placed and instead hoisted the ball into the box.

Wilbraham kept it alive and Wright did the rest.

Hereford United (4-4-2): Brown, McClenahan, McCombe, Broadhurst (c), Taylor (Benjamin 90), Ainsworth (Webb 71), Smith (Johnson 90), Diagouraga, Robinson, Guinan.

Subs not used: Ingham, Rose.

Sent off: Guinan 45

MK Dons (4-4-2): Gueret, Diallo, O'Hanlon, Swailes, Lewington, Wright, Andrews (c), Navarro (Cameron 84), Dyer (Smart 76), Wilbraham, Knight (Johnson 64).

Subs not used: Broughton, Abbey.

Goals: Wright 87

Referee: Paul Melin (Surrey)

Attendance: 3,936