West Bromwich Albion moved within two points of an automatic promotion place with a classic smash and grab raid at Wimbledon.

Danny Dichio scored the only goal of the game as the Baggies secured a vital win despite being outplayed for long periods.

The Dons started quickly, and visiting goalkeeper Russell Hoult had to be at his best, going full length to turn Neil Shipperley's 20 yarder round the post.

Wimbledon started the day 11 points short of the play-offs having gone five matches unbeaten, and looked determined to extend that record and close in on the end-of-season extravaganza against the high-flying Baggies.

Hoult again had to be on his toes when Peter Hawkins tried his luck from distance as the hosts attempted to grab an early goal.

Third-placed West Brom's play looked disjointed as they tried to come to terms with life without Jason Roberts.

The Baggies' record signing broke a bone in his foot at Preston in midweek and is not expected to feature again this season.

Gary Megson did have the consolation of Dichio passing a late fitness test on his calf and he came in to partner Scott Dobie up front. Jordao also started as Derek McInnes served a one-match ban.

The Dons made three changes to the team that secured an impressive 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Millwall.

Neal Ardley and Trond Andersen came back after injury in place of Joel McAnuff and Chris Willmott, who both dropped down to the bench. In addition, Patrick Agyemang came in up front for David Connolly.

Dobie and Dichio struggled to click for the Baggies and the hosts continued to dominate as half-time approached.

Damien Francis and Agyemang both went close from distance late in the half but the Dons just could not secure the breakthrough their first-half play deserved.

The second half began with Shipperley again testing Hoult, this time with a header, but just when it seemed a matter of when Wimbledon broke the deadlock, West Brom went up the other end and grabbed the game's opener.

Igor Balis chipped a delightful ball in and Dichio made no mistake with his and West Brom's first real opening in the 52nd minute, guiding his header into the top corner from six yards.

The difference in the two teams' play was marked, with the wind knocked out of Wimbledon's sails as West Brom began to take control.

Andy Johnson went close from distance a couple of times as the visitors looked to make sure of the three points but Wimbledon refused to lie down.

As the half progressed the Dons regained their composure and set about getting back on terms.

Andersen tested Hoult with a header from Ardley's corner but West Brom still looked dangerous in the break.

In a frantic finale, Jordao and substitute Bob Taylor both almost doubled the visitors' lead before Lionel Morgan's header went close for the Dons.

Ardley tested the West Brom defence with a succession of late corners but Hoult, as he has been all season, was imperious in the Baggies goal and helped his team secure a vital victory.

Teams:

Wimbledon Davis, Darlington, Cunningham, Andersen, Hawkins, Ardley, Francis (Morgan 78), Mild (McAnuff 65), Cooper, Shipperley, Agyemang.

Subs Not Used: Holloway, Willmott, Feuer.

West Brom Hoult, Sigurdsson, Butler, Gilchrist, Balis, Johnson, Jordao, Clement, Adam Chambers, Dichio (Taylor 78), Dobie.

Subs Not Used: Lyttle, Fox, Cummings, Adamson.

Booked: Sigurdsson.

Goals: Dichio 52.

Att: 8,363

Ref: S Baines (Chesterfield).