Late goals from Dean Lewington and Ali Gerba saw promotion-chasing MK Dons come from behind to seal a crucial victory over Hartlepool United at stadiummk.

Lewington's deft header four minutes from time and Gerba's second of the afternoon in the dying seconds saw Roberto Di Matteo's men open a seven-point gap in second place in the race to climb out of League 1.

On a day when the weather threatened to strike another blow to the fixture list, a day when only one of their rivals in the top six recorded a win, the Dons put down a notable marker in their quest to secure back-to-back promotions with a relentless performance.

Clearly showing the effects of two weeks of weather-hit training schedules, Di Matteo's men looked as though they might have to settle for a point after hitman Gerba, in for the suspended Aaron Wilbraham, had cancelled out Rune Lange's opener in the first half.

But despite struggling for rhythm, the men from MK just kept knocking on visitors' door and, though they were made to wait for it, they finally got the answer they wanted.

While Lewington's goal from Jemal Johnson's cross was unquestionably the match-winning moment, Gerba was determined to have the final say as his fantastic run at stadiummk continued.

Sam Baldock competes for the ball.

The Canadian international striker has now started six home games for the Dons this season, and he has six goals to show for it.

But he might never have had the chance to add to his collection had groundstaff not worked round the clock to prepare a frozen pitch for action - match referee Oliver Langford only declaring the surface fit 90 minutes before kick-off.

Both sides struggled to turn possession into chances early on - Gerba acrobatically volleying off target before Liam Henderson and Andy Monkhouse both headed straight at Willy Gueret within minutes at the other end.

Luke Chadwick takes on Michael Nelson.

Johnson was causing big problems for Antony Sweeney down the Hartlepool right, but saw a succession of crosses well dealt with by the 'Pools defence. When one did find a white shirt on 34 minutes, Gerba was unable control on the turn seven yards out.

It had all been quite even, until Lange was presented with the opening goal.

Usually the Dons' Mr Dependable, Alan Navarro held his head in his hands after attempting a header back to Gueret from halfway inside his own half, with Lange retreating from the last attack.

The Norwegian couldn't believe his luck as he turned onto it, racing into the box and dinking the ball over Gueret despite a desperate touch from the Dons 'keeper.

Ali Gerba celebrates his equalising goal.

All credit must go to Navarro who, rather than going into his shell, immediately started an attack from which the Dons hit back.

Navarro found the ever-willing Johnson on the left and when his far post cross was headed back by Luke Chadwick, Gerba smashed home from close range via the defender on the line.

Suddenly the Dons were alive and Hartlepool were hanging on for dear life by the break. Jason Puncheon saw a long-range shot fly just past the post, before the same man's cross was whipped away from Gerba by Michael Nelson.

And when Lewington's brilliant one-two with Chadwick found the skipper in shooting space, Arran Lee-Barrett stretched full-length to deny him.

Dean Lewington guides his header home on 86 minutes.

After the break the Dons struggled to regain the momentum they'd built at the end of the first half, with a hard-working Hartlepool defence racing around the pitch to close them down.

Puncheon and Chadwick had little luck from distance and when Sam Baldock scampered onto Lewington's slide-rule pass he couldn't quite squeeze the ball beyond Lee-Barrett.

Henderson failed to capitalise on some space in the box from a David Foley pass in a rare 'Pools attack, but it was the home side asking most of the questions.

Substitute Peter Leven couldn't turn a Chadwick shot goalwards on 75 minutes and then just put too much weight on ball over the top for Gerba.

Tore Andre Flo sets up Ali Gerba for the third in stoppage time.

But as the seconds ticked away, and Lewington galloped forward, the Dons skipper stooped to flick home Johnson's dangerous low cross and send the Cowshed into raptures.

Hartlepool were broken and when substitute Tore Andre Flo sprung the offside trap to unselfishly set up Gerba three minutes into injury time, it only rubbed salt into their wounds.

A third straight win for Di Matteo's men, who might have to start taking this promotion business seriously soon.

MK Dons (4-5-1): Gueret; Regan, Stirling, Llera, Lewington (c); Baldock (Magnay 90), Chadwick (Flo 78), Navarro, Puncheon (Leven 65), Johnson, Gerba.

Subs not used: Abbey, Belson.

Goals: Gerba 37, 90, Lewington 86

Booked: Navarro, Llera

Hartlepool United (4-4-2): Lee-Barrett; Sweeney, Nelson (c), Collins, Humphreys; Foley (Mackay 82), Liddle, Rowell (Power 86), Monkhouse; Henderson, Lange.

Subs not used: Young, Tait, Cook.

Goals: Lange 36

Booked: Henderson

Attendance: 8,657 (338 away)

Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands)