Goals:
0-1: Smith (17, cracked in a first-time shot after Bartlett parried a shot into the penalty area)
1-1: Paynter (44, back post header from close range following a cross by Oates)
1-2: Marriott (53, defensive header caught out the defence and substitute got in behind to finish)
1-3: Marriott (57, Halliday failed to cut out a pass, and the low cross from the left was touched in)
1-4: Lee (90, goal of the game – cracked into the top corner from 20 yards)
Bookings: None
Referee: Richard Clark (Morpeth): A few strange calls, but didn’t have a big influence on proceedings 7
Attendance: 3,876
Entertainment: 4/5
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2)
5 Bartlett: Could he have averted the opening goal better? Left exposed for the other three;
3 Halliday: Troubled all afternoon by the lively Guttridge and made a vital error as Pools shipped the third goal
4 Harrison: Wins his share of headers and just when it looked like his was settling into good form, he’s had a rank bad week
4 Boyce: Not the answer to Pools’ defensive problems. Looked edgy and doesn’t dominate like he should for towering defender
6 Carroll: Looked much improved in the first-half and was strong going forward, but part of the second-half defensive collapse;
7 Smith: Bright and lively on a rare start out wide. Always looked to move the ball on effectively and used it well. Very promising
7 MAGNAY: Was outstanding for the opening hour as he gave Pools some real midfield mobility, will be a big miss if his six-game ban isn’t appealed successfully
6 Woods: Busy and had a big role in the opening half when Pools were on top by keeping the ball moving on quickly
6 Oates: Worked the left-flank well and caused Luton plenty of problems – lovely cross for Pools’ goal;
5 Bingham: Could have scored five on Saturday, got into all the right positions and never stopped trying, but couldn’t beat the keeper
6 Paynter: Up against a powerful central defensive partnership and did a lot of good things linking up with his teammates.
Subs:
Fenwick (for Paynter 72)
Featherstone (for Woods 84)
(not used): Carson (gk), Bates, Walker, Oyenuga, Jones.
LUTON TOWN (4-2-3-1): Tyler 8; Cuthbert 5, McNulty 7, Wilkinson 6, Griffiths 5; Lee 7, Smith 6; McGeehan 5, McQuoid 5 (Doyle 80), Guttridge 8; Mackail-Smith 6 (Marriott 28, 7). Subs (not used): Potts, Lawless, Hall, Green, Justham.
MAN OF THE MATCH Luke Guttridge – a constant threat and always looking to create openings
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