WIMBLEDON'S Hampton hoodoo continues as Alan Devonshire's side leapfrogged the Dons into second spot. But their mission was made that much more comfortable as the visitors had to play the best part of an hour with ten men. Lee O'Leary was given his marching orders 30 minutes into his debut for a mistimed tackle on Beavers' winger Marvyn Bartley.

Already a goal down to prolific defender Rob Paris, there was no way back. But had Luke Garrard's fourth minute tumble been rewarded with a spot kick after the midfielder fell under pressure from Dean Wells, it could have been a different story.

Hampton raced ahead against the run of play after referee Ron Ganfield gave the home side a hotly disputed free-kick 20-yards from goal. Elliott Godfrey's set piece wasn't properly cleared and with Jermaine Darlington off-balance, Stuart Lake was able to get his cross into the box. Lurking was centre-back Paris, who, at the second attempt, stabbed home his eighth of the season. Goalkeeper Clark Masters did fantastically well to keep out Lawrence Yaku's initial effort but the defender gobbled up the rebound.

Wimbledon's job became even bigger minutes after falling behind when O'Leary was shown no mercy by the official - off a half hour into his first game in Dons colours following his move from Hendon.

The away team's response was encouraging and they should have gone level with half-time looming. Garrard and Mickey Haswell worked the corner routine to perfection and Steve Butler rose highest but couldn't put his powerful header on target.

The start to the second half was not what any of the travelling supporters wanted. Wimbledon were lucky not to go further behind when Wes Daly was careless in the middle of the park. His misplaced pass fell nicely to Barrie Matthews who delivered a pin-point cross to Yaku - his header came close to 2-0.

But before long there was no way back. And again the away fans were left asking questions of the man in the middle. Yaku shoved Darlington full-on and as the right-back was still on the floor, the striker's cross fell invitingly for Ian Hodges who found the finish.

Maybe the referee was admiring Yaku's silky skills. But Darlington was man-handled by the talented 31-year-old yet the goal still stood.

Hampton could have added a flattering third before long with Godfrey twice going close from long-range. Substitute Steve Wales sparked a final flurry but the home side rarely looked like budging.

First, Dsane was upended with his back to goal - a clear penalty but Mr Ganfield again had other ideas. The home side always looked comfortable, well-marshalled by the impressive Paris and Wells, but a goal would have asked big questions of the Hampton back four.

Dons almost found that killer goal their possession deserved in the closing stages of a fiery affair. Dsane's half volley trickled wide and minutes after it was defender Paul Lorraine's turn to have a go. But the centre-back scuffed his shot when a better connection would have set-up a grand-stand finish.

Wimbledon will point to key decisions going against them but Monday's successful FA appeal has breathed new life into a campaign that had threatened to go flat with this defeat at the Beveree.