The MK Dons were beaten 2-0, their second home defea of the season, by a battling Peterborough side who came to town to make life difficult and steal the points.

Second half goals from substitutes Mark Arber and Justin Richards left the Dons with too little time to force their third two-goal turnaround in succession, leaving Martin Allen's team - and their highest crowd of the season - with little to cheer at the final whistle.

The Dons came straight out of the blocks and made a superb start to the game. Firstly, Izale McLeod won a free kick in a dangerous place, before getting the Cowshed on their feet by finding the net with a clever, quickly taken strike.

Unfotunately, this was too rapid for referee Mr Melin, who ordered that the kick be re-taken once the visitors had settled.

After that drama, the Dons embarked on a period of sustained pressure for the first ten minutes, with half chances for McLeod and Jon-Paul McGovern, but the Posh held on to weather the early storm.

As the half settled down, it was the turn of Keith Alexander's visiting Posh to enjoy a spell of attack, forcing first a crucial punch from Adolfo Baines in the Dons goal, followed quickly by an important intervention to cut out a dangerous, low cross.

Then, with 28 minutes on the clock, it looked as though the Dons had been presented with a great chance to break the deadlock through the quick-witted McLeod.

With the visitors appealing for a free kick, Aaron Wilbraham skipped forward with the ball into a shooting position, forcing a save from Mark Tyler. The Posh 'keeper spilled the initial strike, giving McLeod the chance to nip in and capitalise, but he was unable to get it around the United 'stopper, who eventually gathered the ball.

Back at the other end it was the turn of Baines to save the Dons when a slip by Dean Lewington allowed Danny Crow to get in behind on the right wing. He centred the bal perfectly for Liam Davis, But Baines on hand-to first block his deflected effort before pawing the ball to safety on the rebound.

Then, four minutes from the break, another surging run from McLeod forced another free kick in a dangerous position. This time, it was Lewington who stepped up, but his dipping strike was just over Tyler's crossbar and into the Cowshed.

Two minutes later it was the turn of Jon-Paul McGovern to strike a set-piece at goal - his effort was at least on target, but comfortably collected by Tyler.

With half time approaching, a chance came from nothing thanks to the endeavour of Wilbraham, who chased down a lost cause of a cross to test Tyler with a cross-goal header.

From the resulting corner, Lewington's delivery presented Drissa Diallo with a clear chance at goal, but his headed effort from no more than five yards was over the bar and into the crowd as the referee drew the half to a close.

HALF TIME: MK DONS 0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED 0

After the break a game of Cat and Mouse clearly ensued, as the Dons looked to attack at every opportunity, while the visitors clearly appeared to be relatively happy to keep the match scoreless and claim a point.

Despite the Dons propensity to push forward and attack, it was Posh who had the first shot of the half, as a stinging drive from Richard Butcher flew safely into the arms of Baines from 25 yards.

Back at the other end, McLeod forced a superb save from Tyler, cutting inside to shoot low at the near post. The Peterborough 'keeper had to be on top form to turn the ball around the post.

From the resulting short corner, Lewington whipped a dangerous ball to the back post and found Ben Chorley in yards of space. Unfortunately, his header from a tight angle flew back across goal and missed the target by a whisker.

However, it was the visitors who eventually took the lead - perhaps against the run of play - thanks to a looping header header from substitute Arber in the 70th minute.

After good work from Chorley to concede a throw rather than a corner, Jude Sterling hurled the ball into the centre, where Arber jumped highest and made just enough connection to beat Baines and find the corner of the net.

GOAL: MK DONS 0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED 1
Mark Arber 70

Having gone behind despite their domination, the Dons seemed somewhat shell-shocked, but were quick to create another chance, with McLeod fouled yet again on the edge of the box.

It was again the turn of McGovern to take responsibility and his curling effort could have been no more than inches wide of the left upright.

With eleven minutes to go, another looping header was to cause the Dons problems, with substitute Justin Richards connecting with Crow's cross - fortunately Baines was on hand to tip over.

From the resulting corner, however, Richards took full advantage of his second opportunity and buried Ben Turner's knock down from close range after Butcher's right footed corner to double the visitors' advantage.

GOAL: MK DONS 0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED 2
Justin Richards 80

After the second goal, Dons manager Martin Allen made changes to his team and threw extra men forward in search of a way back into the game, hopeful of yet another two goal turnaround.

Alas, it never looked likely that the Dons could come from two down for a third game in a row - especially not so late in the day. That said, credit should go to the team, as they continued to roll their sleeves up and fight till the end.

On a cold and frosty night in Milton Keynes this was perhaps a harsh lesson for the Dons, who despite their endeavour and work rate never really looked capable of breaking their opponents down and finding the net.

Promotion is still definitely a realistic target and ambition for Martin Allen and his team, but they must surely improve on tonight's performance and start to kill games off before they slip from their grasp.

There is a long way still to go in this campaign, but every point will count come May.