MK Dons all but assured their place in League 1 next season despite failing to overcome third-placed Hereford at stadiummk.

The Dons were frustrated by a dogged Bulls outfit, who gave their own automatic promotion hopes a boost with a valuable point against the League 2 leaders.

But while the champagne corks remain firmly unpopped, the draw here tonight means it would take a mathematical miracle for the Dons not to go up.

Fourth-placed Stockport, who the Dons visit on Saturday, would now have to win all of their remaining four games, hope the Dons lose their three and turn around a goal difference deficit of 24 to deny Paul Ince's team.

Ince's attentions have already turned to the title, which could be wrapped up at Edgeley Park on Saturday if the Dons win and Peterborough lose at Hereford.

Had they won tonight, they'd have one hand on the trophy already and, given the chances that fell to Lloyd Dyer and substitute Mark Wright in particular, it probably should have been the case.

Even by stadiummk standards, it was backs-to-the-wall stuff from the visitors as they tried to contain the explosive Dyer, and the wonderfully evasive John Miles.

John Miles tracks former Don Trent McClenahan.

Miles was in and out of things in the first half, but at times in the second he brought the crowd to their feet with a series of driving runs from deep and had Dyer converted his pass on 64 minutes, it would have been just reward for a great night's work.

Hereford's line-up did little to indicate their subsequent lack of ambition, with front men Steve Guinan and Gary Hooper both expected to lead a line for a side going for a 15th away win of the season.

But Hooper spent most of the first half tucked in behind the more imposing Guinan, creating a bank of five in front of a robust four-man defence.

It took the Dons some time to get amongst them - a Dyer shot from 25 yards the first real effort of note on 17 minutes before Jemal Johnson forced Wayne Brown into a flying save from his well-struck half-volley.

Hereford's one threatening moment predictably came from a set-piece - a rare chance to send bodies forward - and when Hooper's head connected with Clint Easton's delivery, Dons defenders were grateful to see it deflect wide.

Unable to pick holes through the Hereford midfield, where Toumani Diagouraga excelled at putting himself in the right place to break up forward movement, Dons were restricted to long-range efforts - the latest produced by defender Danny Swailes but it was always rising.

Diagouraga again stepped in to prevent Keith Andrews bursting onto an Aaron Wilbraham knockdown and the Dons headed for half-time already knowing what would be facing them in the second period.

Sean O'Hanlon just fails to reach a set-piece delivery.

Ince's men were dominant, monopolising possession and probing for what seemed an age at times for an opening in a sea of yellow and blue.

Alan Navarro's snap-shot from 20 yards nearly made it past Brown before the Bulls 'keeper managed to force it round the post just before the hour mark.

Dyer sent a wonderful ball across the six-yard box that went unconverted shortly afterwards, but then blew the chance to break the deadlock on 64.

Breaking into the left side of the box, he seemed to arrive bang on cue to support Miles, who had made his way through traffic from the right.

Dyer's first touch was excellent, the Cowshed waited for the net to bulge and instead greeted the ball as Dyer fired over from 10 yards.

Keith Andrews and Toumani Diagouraga do battle in midfield.

Miles forced Brown to tip over another long-range effort and as the pressure mounted, Wright went as close as anyone all night.

On for Johnson 10 minutes previously, the Dons leading scorer made a trademark far post arrival to get on the end of Dean Lewington's cross and dig out a shot from six yards.

Brown was beaten, but Diagouraga wasn't - again in the right place at the right time to block on the line.

It looked set to be one of those nights as Wright and Dyer both produced dangerous late crosses that found men in yellow rather than white, and Hereford's contentment to keep the ball in the corner in injury time said it all.

MK Dons: Gueret, Stirling, Lewington, O'Hanlon, Swailes, Andrews, Dyer, Miles

(Gallen 87), Navarro, Wilbraham, Johnson (Wright 59).

Subs Not Used: Abbey, Regan, Hadfield.

Hereford United: Brown, McClenahan, Rose, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Smith, Easton, Diagouraga, Johnson, Guinan (Taylor 79), Hooper (Robinson 59).

Subs Not Used: Esson, Gwynne, Collins.

Booked: Hooper.

Attendance: 11,428

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)