AFC Wimbledon’s victory over Hartlepool is a clear sign of the side’s improvement on last season, according to manager Neal Ardley.

The Pools took six points off the Dons last season, but were dominated in large phases of the game on Saturday.

The Dons secured 59 per cent possession over their lacklustre opponents, and had 17 attempts on goal compared to their four, with goals from Callum Kennedy and Lyle Taylor earning the three points.

Ardley said: “We had two tough away matches recently in which we came out with a victory, then we had a game such as this which can sometimes be a bit of a banana skin.

“The performance was as complete and professional as I could have wanted, and the gulf between the sides was as big as you’ll see in League Two, it should have been four or five.”

He added: “We have a better group of players than last year, we have a great work ethic. I always want my sides to have a good work ethic and the boys are really embracing it now”.

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The Dons have been criticised in the past for not finishing off games when they have been on top, but Ardley also added he was not surprised at the way in which his side dominated.

“It doesn’t surprise me as this is how the boys have been training and this is the quality they show every week,” he said.

“I look at players in the team and in certain positions we have some of the best in the league.

“At the moment the cohesion and work rate for each other is superb and in the past we probably haven’t taken our chances when on top and the boys are in a good moment and we have to keep it going.”