Adam Jackson’s first-half header proved enough to defeat a Dons side that failed to muster much in the way of concerted pressure or, indeed, create many chances.
Neal Ardley’s side begun brightly at the Victoria Ground. Andy Barcham cut in from the left and forced Carson into an early save.
Neat interplay between Lyle Taylor and Rhys Murphy didn’t quite come off as Taylor’s clipped cross flew just over his strike partner’s head.
Last weekend’s hero Jake Reeves forged into the box and fired wide, before Roos made a sharp double save at the other end from Billy Paynter’s header and Jake Carroll’s follow-up.
George Francomb’s byline cross was given the lightest of glances by Reeves at the near post, sending the ball agonisingly across the face of goal.
Somewhat against the run of play, Pools opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.
Ryan Sweeney’s weak clearance fell to Luke James; his shot into the ground bounced up for an unmarked Jackson, who nodded into the far corner from nine yards past a helpless Kelle Roos.
As the hosts continued to trouble a Wimbledon defence shorn of its central figure Paul Robinson. Billy Paynter teed up James on the half turn, who hit a half-volley onto the foot of the left hand post.
Just before the break, Reeves ballooned a long ball around the corner into the path of Lyle Taylor, who got the better of his marker but not Carson, who saved high to his right.
Fifteen minutes into a tepid second-half Ardley acted, switching Rhys Murphy- who reacted angrily to his withdrawal- for Tom Elliott.
After a further double change introducing Adebayo Akinfenwa and Ade Azeez, skipper Barry Fuller rolled a low shot on target from range and Akinfenwa volleyed wide of the right-hand post.
The visitors, backed by 259 hardy fans, committed plenty of bodies forward in the closing stages but couldn’t force a result.
Dons: Roos; Fuller ©, Sweeney, Charles, Meades; Francomb, Bulman, Reeves, Barcham (Akinfenwa 71); Taylor (Azeez 71), Murphy (Elliott 59)
Subs not used: Shea, Kennedy, Rigg, , Fitzpatrick
