Clive Platt stepped up to the plate and bagged a brilliant hat-trick as MK Dons got back to winning ways against nine-man Barnet.

The Dons striker answered manager Martin Allen's call to arms in the absence of leading-scorer Izale McLeod, and became the first Dons player to score a first-team hat-trick.

Platt's goals, on 11, 65 and 70 minutes following up his own penalty miss, came against a Barnet side who hit the self-destruct button in the first half as midfielder Dean Sinclair and captain Ian Hendon received straight red cards.

With McLeod in the stands for five games, Allen used his programme notes to rally his players into taking responsibility in his leading-scorer's absence.

Scott Taylor was the man given the nod to replace him, one of three changes from the side that lost at Hartelpool. Jude Stirling came in for his full debut at right back while Jon-Paul McGovern was recalled on the right. Unsurprisingly for a side who have won five of their last six, Barnet were unchanged from the side that beat Macclesfield last Saturday. That meant a first return to The Ground for former Don Jason Puncheon, starting up front alongside Adam Birchall.

Perhaps the most natural choice to fill McLeod's sizable shoes, Taylor nearly got a dream start when he beat the offside flag to latch onto Dean Lewington's pass after just 40 seconds. Under pressure from the defenders as soon as he controlled it, Taylor stabbed a shot goalwards but Lee Harrison got down smartly to block it.

It was a warning to Barnet that Dons still had the firepower to cause problems, but on 11 minutes the Bees shot themselves in the foot as the opener was gifted to the razor-sharp Platt. Nicky Bailey can't have realised he was the last man as he dithered suicidally half way inside his own half. Platt was more than aware of the situation and picked the midfielder's pocket before drilling low past Harrison.

It was a huge shot in the arm for the big man, who should have had an assist to his name when he cushioned Lewington's deep ball across goal but was short of support.

King, who should have already drawn the game level when he screwed woefully wide four minutes before, squared proceedings on 27 minutes from a well-worked set piece. Bailey's delivery held up nicely for Ismail Yakubu, who helped the ball into the six-yard box for the advancing King to flick into the corner.

But having got themselves back into it, Barnet gave themselves a mountain to climb as they lost two players before the break. Just a minute after King equalised, Sinclair hit the showers after needlessly lunging into Aaron Wilbraham just inside the Dons half. Referee Andre Marriner was in no doubt and brandished an immediate red to Sinclair's amazement.

If there were complaints about the first dismissal, there were few about the second as Hendon snapped in first half injury time. Lewington had just lost possession on the left-hand touchline and as Barry Cogan carried the ball away, the Dons full-back hit the deck holding his head. Mr Marriner had seemingly  missed the incident but sent Hendon packing on the advice of assistant Andy Garratt.

Barnet were forced to change their goalkeeper at half time after Harrison picked up an injury and replacement Ross Flitney can only have been expecting a siege with eight men in front of him.

It duly started as the Dons ran riot through a midfield desperately short of amber and black. Lewington and Stirling were bombing forward at every given opportunity while Gary Smith, on at the break for Taylor, buzzed around midfield looking to take advantage of the space.

O'Hanlon fired over from six yards and Stirling sent a rocket past the post from 30 as the Dons poured forward before Platt finally made the numbers count on 65 minutes.

Substitute Jon Hayes won a free-kick on the left that McGovern delivered to the far post. Wilbraham rose to head it back and Platt showed immense strength to hold off his marker and hook the ball into the roof of the net from five yards.

Having won the free-kick for the second, Hayes then won the penalty that brought about the third as Bailey's nightmare continued. Hayes chased a long ball to the left corner of the area where Bailey needlessly shoved him in the back.

On a hat-trick, Platt always looked favourite to take it. Flitney blocking his shot low to his left but Platt had an age to control and dispatch the rebound to become the first MK Dons player to score a first team treble.