DEFEAT at MK Dons means it’s 21 games without a win for Hartlepool United, a run that sets a new club record beating the mark set in 1993.

They fell behind in the first-half to a disputed goal and, while the opening 45 minutes was poor, the second period saw a marked improvement.

While MK Dons were happy to sit back in the first half and keep the ball without doing a great deal with it, after the break they played with more intent – and Pools raised their game to go with it.

The goal came on 15 minutes, Sam Collins headed away and when the ball was returned to the area, Ryan Lowe was free. His shot beat Scott Flinders and the goal was awarded amid angry offside appeals from the visitors.

However, video replays showed Lowe was onside when the ball was returned to the area.

MK Dons had 12 first-half shots on target to Pools one. That came when Jon Franks latched onto Jack Baldwin’s pass and lobbed a tame effort into the hands of keeper David Martin.

Home defender Shaun Williams had a goal chalked off for a foul in the build up and Flinders made decent saves from Luke Chadwick and Stephen Gleeson.

The game opened up more in the second half. Pools had their best chance when Charlie Wyke was in on goal, but fired his shot too close to keeper Martin.

Angelo Balanta blocked a goalbound shot on the line as the home side looked for a second, while Darren Potter crashed a shot against the underside of the bar.

Pools defender Jack Baldwin was booked in the second half, meaning he is suspended for next weekend’s game with Portsmouth for reaching five cautions.

MK DONS: Martin;Doumbe, Kay, Williams, Lewington; Bowditch, Gleeson, Potter, Balanta (Ismail 62); :Lowe (McDonald 83), Chadwick.

Subs: McLoughlin, MacDonald, Smith, Chicksen, Powell, Sekajja

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Richards, Collins, Baldwin, Horwood (Holden 4); Franks (Poole 71), Sweeney, Humphreys, Monkhouse; Wyke (Rutherford 81), Howard.

Subs: McHugh (gk), Murray, Johnson, Boagey.

Referee: Roger East (Swindon)