Omar Bugiel’s header gave AFC Wimbledon a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Salford that kept their League Two play-off hopes flickering.

It was the Dons’ first win in five games as they moved up to eighth in the table, still three points behind in-form Crawley, as the Ammies, who finished with nine players, fell to a third straight defeat.

The best chance of a scrappy first half went to Salford when Matty Lund burst through before his effort was well saved by Wimbledon goalkeeper Alex Bass.

His opposite number, Alex Cairns, made his first important stop when he beat away Bugiel’s 25-yard shot in the first minute of the second half.

The Ammies then had the best chance yet in the 62nd minute when Lund dispossessed Ryan Johnson before teeing up Conor McAleny, who was denied by Bass.

Instead, it was the Dons who broke through after 70 minutes when Bugiel’s header from Kofi Balmer’s long throw drifted in before Salford had both Elliot Watt and Theo Vassell sent off for dissent deep into stoppage time.