Nine-man Peterborough United have held on to secure an impressive 2-1 victory over MK Dons at London Road.

Darren Ferguson's men got off to a dreadful start, with Posh being reduced to 10 men within six minutes of kickoff after Nathaniel Knight-Percival was shown a straight red card following an altercation with Patrick Bamford.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, however, the hosts took a 1-0 lead on 12 minutes through Lee Tomlin, who dispatched a penalty after Shaun Williams fouled Danny Swanson inside the area.

Karl Robinson's side struggled to capitalise on their advantage and the visitors nearly fell further behind, with Tyrone Barnett heading into the side-netting after a floated cross from Swanson.

The Dons began to develop a foothold in the proceedings as the half progressed and should have drawn level through Jon Otsemobor, but his header whistled wide of the post.

Robinson's men were made to pay for the missed opportunity, as in-form striker Britt Assombalonga doubled his team's lead 12 minutes from the interval, slotting past David Martin.

The visitors emerged from the break as the stronger side and should have halved the deficit within four minutes of the restart, but Stephen Gleeson blazed over over the bar from Luke Chadwick's cut-back.

Bamford and Chadwick came close to halving the deficit, before Robinson finally watched his team's pressure pay dividends. Second-half substitute Izale McLeod was on hand to poke home from close range following Bamford's teasing pass across the face of goal.

Things went from bad to worse for Ferguson, who then watched his side go down to nine men after Mark Little was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Dean Lewington.

Despite the two extra men, the Dons failed to restore parity and the hosts held on against all odds.