Antony Sweeney's solitary strike moved Hartlepool to within one point of the automatic places. Hartlepool went ahead 10 minutes after the break when Andy Monkhouse's pass sent Sweeney into the area and he slotted a low shot in from 12 yards.
Pool also went close when Eifion Williams hammered a great volley against the crossbar.
Four players were booked after a 17-man brawl while MK Dons' Izale Mcleod was shown red for a foul on Michael Nelson.
Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Liddle, Humphreys, Bullock, Sweeney, Monkhouse, Brown, Eifion Williams (Foley 80), Barker.
Subs Not Used: Provett, Robson, Darren Williams, Gibb.
Booked: Nelson, Barker, Brown.
Goals: Sweeney 55.
Milton Keynes Dons: Harper, Diallo (Stirling 79), Butler, O'Hanlon, Lewington, Edds, Andrews, Dyer (Gary Smith 64), Wilbraham, Platt (McGovern 64), McLeod.
Subs Not Used: Baines, Taylor.
Sent Off: McLeod (82).
Booked: Wilbraham, Andrews.
Att: 4,851.
Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).
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Interview: Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson
