Following a disappointing performance at home Ipswich Town in midweek, Grant McCann would have been delighted by the start his side made at Plough Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Keane Lewis-Potter was the creative conductor of the Tigers’ attacking prowess, as the forward produced a moment of magic to open the scoring.
Lewis-Potter drifted in-behind the Wimbledon defence and forced a clumsy challenge from Ben Heneghan, which left referee Craig Hicks, with no other choice than to point to the spot and allow Josh Magennis to open the scoring.
The visitors doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Reece Burke, who was making his 100th league appearance for the Tigers, poked home the second, following a moment of lapse in concentration from goalkeeper, Sam Walker.
The win was sealed on the 63rd minute when Mallik Wilks got himself on the scoresheet thanks to another penalty, which he won and converted past the helpless Sam Walker.
The match
It was the Tigers who made the best start to the game.
Mallik Wilks, who has been the talisman for McCann’s side this season, drove at Nesta Guinness-Walker, cut inside the bewildered full-back, and from 25-yards out, smashed a low left footed driven shot towards goal.
However, Sam Walker got down well to keep his clean sheet intact.
Hull City’s dominance grew, with the front three of Josh Magennis, Keane Lewis-Potter and Wilks taking full control of the encounter.
On the 23rd minute, the Tigers’ onslaught paid off.
Keane Lewis-Potter was slipped in behind the Dons’ defence by George Honeyman, creating a one-on-one opportunity with Sam Walker.
As Lewis-Potter took aim to shoot, Ben Heneghan produced an expertly timed tackle to snatch the ball off the foot of Lewis-Potter.
However, referee, Craig Hicks, pointed to the spot, deeming Heneghan’s challenge a dangerous one, and handing Josh Magennis the perfect opportunity to open the scoring.
As a hush fell over Plough Lane, Magennis hammered home the opener into the bottom left-hand corner, sending Walker the wrong way and scoring his 11th goal of the season.
Lewis-Potter had a glorious opportunity double the Tigers’ lead on the 39th minute. The Dons’ defence was yet again caught out, as Greg Docherty robbed the ball from George Dobson, and slipped it in behind the defence.
Lewis-Potter, who was enjoying a field day, sprinted in-between Will Nightingale and Ben Heneghan to self himself up with another one-on-one with Walker.
The goalkeeper rushed off his line, but Lewis-Potter was too quick, knocking the ball past the onrushing Walker.
However, from a tight angle, with the goal at his mercy, the forward could only direct his effort inches wide of the far post.
The visitors doubled the tally minutes before half time.
A set piece was sent in from Lewis Coyle which created confusion in the Dons’ area.
Magennis rose highest inside the area, and as Walker came out to collect the loose ball, Reece Burke prodded home the second for Grant McCann’s Tigers - giving Mark Robinson’s side a mountain to climb in the second half.
Second half
The relentless Tigers continued to pile on the pressure - with Wilks and Lewis-Potter both peppering Sam Walker’s goal from long range.
The Tigers extended their lead on the 63rd minute.
Wilks drove inside the area, cut past Alex Woodyard, who cynically scythed the winger down and handed Hull the chance to seal all three points.
After a confrontation with Josh Magennis, over who would take the spot kick, Wilks eventually placed the ball down on the spot and rolled the ball past the helpless Walker, to bring the three points back the KCOM Stadium.
Mark Robinson made a quadruple change in order to find a way back into the game, but the Dons were nullified by the stubborn Tigers’ defence.
The win moved Hull City within a point of the top two.
As for AFC Wimbledon, they slipped back into the relegation zone after fellow strugglers, Burton Albion, picked up three points.
Takeaways
Nesta Guinness-Walker shines despite the result
Another product of the wealth of talent from the AFC Wimbledon academy, Nesta Guinness-Walker, has gone from strength to strength this season, and he continues to thrive under the tutelage of Mark Robinson.
Guinness-Walker, who operates at left-back, is the optimum modern-day defender. His durable defensive duties are equally matched by the gallivanting runs he makes up and down the touchline.
Despite having a baptism of fire against Mallik Wilks, Guinness-Walker cut a commanding figure, imposing his presence on one of the most potent wingers in the league.
Mallik Wilks offers hope for the Tigers promotion chances
His penalty this afternoon, made it 15 goals for this season for Mallik Wilks.
Whilst the relentless form of league leaders, Peterborough United and Lincoln City, who both have two games in hand over Hull City, are ferociously dominating League One, Wilks offers some salvation for the Tigers’ supporters.
His natural speed is frightening, his deadeye shot for a goal is terrifying and his physical presence was an arduous task for the Dons’ defence all afternoon.