Leaders Norwich City extended their advantage over West Bromwich Albion at the top of the first division to five points with a 1-0 win at nine-man Wimbledon, who as a result remain rooted to the foot of the table.
The Dons' season goes from bad to worse, falling behind to a sublime goal from Darren Huckerby, the strikers seventh of the season.
Just as they appeared to be building some pressure on their opponents in the second period, they lost two players to red cards in the space of 60 seconds.
With 16 minutes gone, Canaries winger Paul McVeigh floated a hopeful ball into the home side's penalty box and the ex-Newcastle United, Leeds United and Manchester City frontman executed a brilliant volley that flew in past a helpless Steve Banks.
The visitors could have increased their lead on numerous occasion after that but a combination of the woodwork and bad finishing prevented them, although Norwich were grateful to hear referee Michael Ryan's whistle after Ben Chorley had headed in Ben Harding's right-wing corner with 24 minutes remaining.
However, anything other than a win for Nigel Worthington's team would have been an injustice, especially with both Huckerby and Jim Brennan being denied goals by crossbar and post respectively.
And, with eight minutes remaining, first keeper Banks for handling outside his area, and then new signing Mark Williams for dissent both saw red to effectively end the game as a contest.
After the final whistle, Wimbledon manager Stuart Murdoch lamented his team's bad luck, as well as the performance of the man in the middle.
"I think the referee was weak and wanted to be the centre of attention," he said.
"Perhaps he can learn from his mistakes, but will he?" However, Murdoch did at least have some positive news for the club's long-suffering supporters, claiming: "We won't lose next week, - because we haven't got a game!"