MK Dons withstood another big test of their League 2 promotion credentials as they fought their way to three valuable points at Lincoln City.

Goals early in each half from Carl Regan and substitute Jemal Johnson saw the Dons haul themselves level with leaders Peterborough, but they were made to sweat for it by a battling Imps outfit.

Fighting for the pride of absent manager Peter Jackson, who celebrates his 47th birthday on Sunday, Lincoln gave the Dons a real physical examination in an ugly encounter.

But while the Dons were never at their free-flowing best, they did well to cope after the early loss of defender Sean O'Hanlon, who trudged off with a broken nose after just 22 minutes.

Missing the vice-captain's physical presence, the visitors had to scrap frequently to clear their lines and were forced to run down the clock after Ben Wright had pulled a goal back just before the hour-mark.

The result takes the Dons to 85 points, one more than they finished the campaign with last season and the total third-placed Swindon were promoted on.

Carl Regan celebrates giving the Dons an early lead.

They failed to regain top spot by the odd goal but, with a game in hand, Ince's team still hold their title destiny in their own hands.

The visitors couldn't have asked for a better start, given to them by Regan who was rewarded for a positive break from right-back three minutes into the game.

Mark Wright's ball forward was dummied by Aaron Wilbraham on the edge of the area, allowing Lloyd Dyer a run on goal.

Dyer's path was blocked by Gary Croft but as Imps 'keeper Alan Marriott advanced, Regan stuck out a leg and managed to divert it past him.

Lincoln reacted well as Louis Dodds worked Dons 'keeper Willy Gueret with an angled shot from 14 yards, while the Dons struggled with the aerial presence of Wright and the movement of Jamie Forrester.

Keith Andrews battles with Shane Clarke in midfield.

O'Hanlon's exit saw a return to first team action for Gareth Edds as Regan moved into central defence and he would have his work cut out dealing with the increasingly influential Wright.

The game became an aerial battle as Wright fought with Regan and Danny Swailes while Wilbraham replicated the scrap with Lee Beevers and Adie Moses at the other end.

But Gueret was rarely troubled in truth during the entire first half, while Colin Cameron probably should have made more of Mark Wright's clever ball over the top before the break.

As they had in the first period, the Dons started the second well and looked likely to score a second before Johnson eventually did.

Keith Andrews saw a terrific free-kick pushed away by Marriott before Johnson, on for the injured Cameron, was denied a shooting chance by Lee Frecklington's timely interception after great work from Dyer and Alan Navarro down the right.

Aaron Wilbraham holds off Adie Moses.

Dyer missed a glorious chance to double the lead on 54 minutes, breaking clear onto Andrews' throughball and shooting straight at Marriott one-on-one.

But within a minute, Johnson showed him how it's done - cutting in off the right from Andrews' pass and drilling a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Game over you would think, until Lincoln hit back four minutes later.

Croft's long ball into the box was met by Beevers, whose header from point-blank range was saved brilliantly by Gueret.

Wright hooked the rebound against the underside of the crossbar and as the Dons failed to clear, the striker scrambled the loose ball home.

Dyer found Marriott too tougher obstacle to pass shortly afterwards as he again made space down the right before Lincoln blew their best chance of an equaliser.

Croft whipped in another dangerous set-piece from the right and, as the Dons failed to clear, Dany N'Guessan directed a free header straight at Gueret from seven yards.

Gareth Edds makes his return to first team action after an ankle operation.

The aerial war waged on as the Dons finally started to get to grips with Wright - Swailes and Regan steadying the ship and Andrews and Navarro mopping up danger in midfield.

Though they had plenty of ball in Dons territory, Lincoln were unable to fashion a real chance to draw level after N'Guessan's header.

The Dons have become masters of closing out games with narrow leads away from home and tonight was no exception.

It wasn't pretty in the slightest but promotion challenges are built on wins such as this.

With six games to go, it's doubtful the Dons will care too much for performances.

The points at this stage are far more important.

Lincoln: Marriott, Croft, Moses, Beevers (c), Ridley, Frecklington, Clarke (Pembleton 46), N'Guessan, Dodds (Stallard 83), Forrester (King 84), Wright.

Subs not used: Warlow, Hone.

Goals: Wright 59

MK Dons: Gueret, Regan, O'Hanlon (Edds 22), Swailes, Lewington, Wright, Navarro, Andrews, Cameron (Johnson 50), Dyer (Hadfield 85), Wilbraham.

Subs not used: Baldock, Abbey.

Goals: Regan 3, Johnson 55

Referee: Ray Lee