MK Dons continued their outstanding away form with a business-like performance against 10-man Hartlepool to win their fourth straight League 1 game.

Roberto Di Matteo's men cashed in on playing over an hour against 10 men following Sam Collins's 25th-minute dismissal, as goals from Dean Lewington and Mark Wright put them firmly in the driving seat at Victoria Park.

'Pools, managed by former Dons boss Danny Wilson, threatened a second-half revival when Kevin Kyle's shot was turned into his own net by Sean O'Hanlon, but 17-year-old debutant Dan Powell came off the bench to make sure of the points with a late third.

It was yet another away-day masterclass from the men from MK in their 200th Football League game. Shrugging off a bulging list of injuries to key personnel and on a ground that had yielded no points in their last three visits, Di Matteo's battlers rolled up their sleeves and made the best of what they had.

Norwich City loanee Luke Chadwick was the latest name added to the crocked list having sustained a knee injury in training on Thursday. That coupled with knocks for Sam Baldock and Jude Stirling meant the Dons' system almost picked itself.

Dean Lewington curls the Dons into the lead on 37 minutes.

Miguel Llera retained his spot in central defence alongside O'Hanlon, Jemal Johnson likewise on the left of a five-man midfield, in which Jason Puncheon would play off lone striker Ali Gerba.

Goalkeeper Willy Gueret, back in the side after a three-match ban, looked uncharacteristically nervous in the opening exchanges and, having seen 'Pools striker Joel Porter charge down his clearance on five minutes, was almost caught dangerously out of position when James Brown beat him to the loose ball.

A full-blooded affair, particularly in the midfield area, saw tempers fray a little halfway through the first half and after Ben Clark escaped a booking for a reckless challenge on Navarro, Collins was not so lucky after clattering Peter Leven.

Puncheon followed him into the notebook when he left a foot in on Ritchie Humphreys, but the flurry of cards hit the home side where it hurts five minutes later.

Dean Lewington wheels away in celebration.

Collins had dallied in possession halfway inside his own half, allowing Leven to rob him and Gerba to set Johnson in behind. Collins gave chase, they clashed on the edge of the box and the outcome was inevitable.

The easy option for referee Neil Swarbrick would have been a second yellow, but the Lancashire official backed his view of the incident and produced a straight red for a professional foul.

It could have go worse for the home side from the resulting free-kick, but when Gerba's shot broke O'Hanlon's way, the defender was denied by a fantastic save from Arran Lee-Barrett.

The Dons were controlling possession, slowly picking the holes in Hartlepool's defence and before hitting them hard with two goals in as many minutes.

Lewington goals are unquestionably a rarity - when they come via his right foot you expect him to gallop away in celebration astride a unicorn. Stepping inside onto Navarro's pass, the skipper put the old swinger to marvellous use with a wonderful curling shot into the top corner.

Mark Wright breaks his duck for the season with the Dons' second.

Wright doubled the lead within two minutes, finally breaking his duck for the season with the type of goal he made his trademark last year.

Having led the Dons scoring charts with 15 last season, Wright hadn't found the net in any game this term before today, but after switching the ball out to Johnson on the right he made a beeline for the penalty area.

Johnson did the business out wide, skinning Humphreys before firing low across goal and Wright swept in to his obvious delight.

It put the Dons firmly on control of proceedings but, against a Hartlepool side that has made a habit of retrieving lost causes this season, they should have expected a reaction.

A delighted Mark Wright celebrates his first goal of the season.

With Matty Robson and Gary Liddle introduced at the break, 'Pools were looking for a change in fortune and they got it within seconds.

Kyle's volley from wide on the right was going harmlessly through the penalty area until O'Hanlon, unaware of what was behind him, instinctively stretched out and turned the ball past Gueret.

It brought the home side back into the game and the Dons were forced to defend stoutly against the aerial bombardment that came their way. With Kyle as the target, 'Pools loaded the Dons box frequently only to find O'Hanlon and Llera a match for their big frontman.

The 10 men were trying to build up a head of steam, but the extra man was starting to tell as when the home side lost the ball, they had to work hard to get it back.

Dan Powell makes a big impression on his Dons debut.

The Dons varied their game well towards the end, threatening with pace on the break to make Hartlepool think twice about pressing too far forward and then popping the ball about comfortably in the space that afforded them.

On for Johnson late in the game, Powell's moment came in injury time and it's one he's never likely to forget.

Having just been obliterated by big Michael Nelson in the corner, the teenager dusted his huge frame off, got himself in the box and turned home fellow sub Aaron Wilbraham's cross deep into stoppage time.

Hartlepool United (4-4-2): Lee-Barrett; Sweeney (Foley 86), Nelson, Collins, Humphreys; Brown, Jones, Clark, Monkhouse (Robson 46); Kyle, Porter (Liddle 46).

Subs not used: Budtz, Mackay.

Goal: O'Hanlon (og) 46

Yellow cards: Collins, Clark

Red Card: Collins (25)

MK Dons (4-5-1): Gueret, Cummings, O'Hanlon, Llera, Lewington (c); Wright, Leven, Navarro, Puncheon, Johnson (Powell 84); Gerba (Wilbraham 69).

Subs not used: Belson, Price, N'Gala.

Goals: Lewington (37), Wright (39), Powell (90)

Booked: Puncheon, Gerba.

Attendance: 4,021

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)