Pools put in a dogged display against MK Dons in today's live Sky match at stadium:mk but lost out in a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Mick Wadsworth's side were in control for much of the first half, frustrating the hosts at every turn but MK Dons stepped things up after the break and when Lewis Guy grabbed a second-half opener, there was no way back for hard-working Pools.

Pools were comfortable in the first half here at stadium:mk, never really stretched by the hosts and confident in possession.

And Pools had the first effort on goal in the opening seconds of the game as Evan Horwood sent a pacy freekick into the area which Gary Liddle challenged for at the far post only to see the danger cleared by David Martin.

A Steve Haslam ball into the area found Adam Boyd surrounded by defenders but the Pools striker managed to turn neatly to face goal only to see the ball nicked away by Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, who proved a constant thorn in Pools' side this afternoon. The big defender used his size and aerial presence to keep Wadsworth's side at bay on many occasions.

Pools were playing a patient game, slowing the tempo and frustrating the home team - all that was missing from a solid first half were the clear-cut chances to really test Martin and break the deadlock.

Karl Robinson's side had their fair share of chances at the other end; Luke Chadwick and Angelo Balanta combined well down the left to work the ball into the box for Sam Baldock but the striker's first touch was poor and the ball rolled out of play.

On 15 minutes, former Poolie Jermaine Easter went on a great run into the box to pick up a ball poked through from Chadwick to go one-on-one with Flinders but the Pools' stopper showed a calm head as he rushed out to smother Easter's shot.

Andy Monkhouse then created the biggest chance of the game as he nipped in from the right to push into the box, jump through the challenge of two defenders only to see his final ball cut out at the last second by Sean O'Hanlon.

Pools looked dangerous from set pieces, with a number of Sam Collins long throws causing problems for the home defence.

And one throw from the skipper was headed out by Peter Leven to Ritchie Humphreys on the edge of the box and the Pools midfielder hit a sweet shot at goal which went just wide of goal.

Another Collins throw caused confusion in the area, with the loose ball bouncing around until Monkhouse took control and put it back cross goal where it was pushed over the line by a defender - unfortunately the assistant's flag was raised and the ball was judged to have gone out of play early in Monkhouse's move.

There were more chances at both ends before the break; Balanta cleverly turning away from Murray to power on goal, only to send his shot wide of goal and at the other end Evan Horwood saw a strike from distance deflected over the bar.

While the game will have provided little entertainment for the viewers on Sky, Pools will have been satisfied with the first half display and looking to capitalise more on their possession in the second period.

Pools came out after the break and looked to continue their frustration of the hosts, sticking rigidly to their shape and making MK Dons work heard for every ball.

Although rarely tested, Flinders did what he had to when called upon and collected a glancing header from Baldock and Dean Lewington had sent a cross into the box.

Wadsworth introduced Denis Behan to the action just after the hour mark in place of Adam Boyd as Pools looked to press more in the final third.

But as the half progressed, Pools were pushed deeper by the hosts and spent much of the time in their own half trying to keep MK Dons at bay.

With 77 minutes on the clock, Pools' were undone by the hosts; a weak ball out of defence was picked up by Luke Chadwick who played it on to Baldock and his ball across the face of goal was pushed into the net by former Pools loan man Lewis Guy to give MK Dons the lead.

Pools had failed to really threaten at all after the break and an equaliser looked unlikely but their chances were boosted when the hosts were reduced to ten men.

Sub Leon McSweeney played his part for Pools as he burst forward down the right to try and collect a Sweeney pass but just as he tried to collect, he was dragged back by Lewington who was shown a red kick for his efforts.

An Evan Horwood deep cross from the left found Leon McSweeney rising at the far post, he headed the ball into the path of the arriving Sweeney but the midfielder's chance was impeded and Martin collected - despite strong calls for a penalty, the referee was quick to wave away appeals.

There were further chances for Sam Collins and Antony Sweeney, with even Scott Flinders adding his weight to the attack for a later corner kick but there was no way through for a determined Pools.

Despite four minutes of added time, Pools did not have the time to find an equaliser and left stadium:mk on the back of a 1-0 defeat.

Booked: Pools: Monkhouse (67), Murray (71)

Off: MK Dons Lewington (83)

Att: 7666 (204 Pools)

Pools: Flinders, Haslam, Collins, Liddle, Horwood, Sweeney, Murray, Humphreys (McSweeney 81), Monkhouse, Boyd (Behan 61), Yantorno (Larkin 86)
Subs: Mooney, Austin, Hartley, Mackay

MK Dons: Martin, Lewington, Kouo-Doumbe, O'Hanlon, Easter (Ibehre 72), Baldock, Balanta, Woodards (Carrington 43), Hamann (Guy 72), Leven, Chadwick
Subs: Searle, Chicksen, Powell, Johnson