Norwich manager Chris Hughton insisted his side's character was crucial to bouncing back from their midweek defeat to Aston Villa with a 2-1 win over Wigan.
Hughton admitted his side should have added to Anthony Pilkington's opener as they bossed the opening half, and Shaun Maloney levelled the scores just after the break.
But a rare header from the diminutive Wes Hoolahan proved enough to earn another three points for the Canaries.
"I'm really delighted because Wigan are a very good side and play a similar system to Villa," Hughton said. "They pass the ball very well and when they got their equaliser early in the second half we had to show great character.
"We had to get back in the game and make sure that we had a good period ourselves, and I think we weathered it a little bit and came strong.
"Certainly over the game we had the better chances, and should have really made it a bit more comfortable for ourselves.
"We had really good opportunities to be further ahead at half-time. Their goalkeeper had to make a couple of very good saves, but Wigan showed why they continue to be in this division.
They pass the ball very well, they have a system of playing that gets them in the opposition's final third, and they have got quality. We had to match that today.
"I thought we were very, very good at times. Yes we could have made it better for ourselves in that first half, but that's the game. Then we had to get back into it, but in the end I think we got a deserved winner. It wrapped up a really good performance from us."
The 34-year-old striker placed a precise side-footed volley into the corner of the net early on to lift the Dons to within two points of top spot and leave hapless Pools without a win in 21 games.
Milton Keynes dominated the first half and the unmarked Lowe put them ahead on the quarter-of-an-hour mark, tucking Darren Potter's cross past Scott Flinders as the Pools defence appealed in vain for offside.
Flinders then brilliantly denied Angelo Balanta and Luke Chadwick, while Dean Lewington curled a free-kick just wide and Shaun Williams had a headed goal ruled out for a shove.
Hartlepool rarely threatened in the first half but Jonathan Franks wasted a rare opportunity when he raced onto Jack Baldwin's long punt but could only lob straight at keeper David Martin.
Pools improved after the break and Charlie Wyke had a fierce drive beaten out by Martin and Steve Howard nodded a decent chance straight at the keeper.
But the Dons regained control and Chadwick had a low strike well saved by Flinders, while Potter drilled a shot narrowly wide and then blasted another effort against the crossbar at the death.
