Goal:

0-1: Hylton (62, turned in across Carson after MacDonald raced away unchallenged on the right to cross)

Bookings: Oates (33, foul); Walker (67, foul)

Referee: Seb Stocksbridge (Newcastle): Denied Pools a first-half penalty, made plenty of strange calls and let down by a weak assistant on the Mill House side.

Attendance: 3,622

Entertainment: 4/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):

8 Carson: Always alert with his distribution, and made a string of fine saves late on when the game really opened up, denying Oxford superbly

7 Duckworth: Solid in defence and enjoyed the chance to attack the space in front of him. A fine return to the side after injury

7 Jackson: A faultless display in the middle of the back four, reading the game well and he’s really adapted well to League Two football from Middlesbrough’s Under-21s

7 Bates: Carried on his fine form of late since being given a run in the side, formed a great understanding with Jackson in a matter of weeks

3 Carroll: Caught out badly for the goal when he should have dealt with MacDonald racing away and took one for the team;

8 Featherstone: Sat deep in midfield and dictated play for long times as he got on the ball and used it well in a busy performance

8 Magnay: Allowed to play with more freedom and regularly joined in with the attacks as he ploughed forward to good effect. Badly missed when he was forced off with an eye injury

7 Gray: Replaced as a precaution later on after feeling the effects of a hectic game. A touch of first-half class saw him turn and volley against the bar from 20 yards. Adds some real excitement to the side going forward;

6 Naismith: Bright first-half and got on the ball, but was shackled more after the break as Oxford recognised his threat

5 Mandron: Chased and harassed without being a physicial threat. Missed the clearest chance Pools had when he failed to score when one on one with the keeper

4 Oates: Effort couldn’t be faulted, but didn’t have much impact going forward and was a bit frustrated as the game went on.

Subs:

Walker (for Magnay 61): Had a couple of efforts which were close to scoring, but Pools missed Magnay’s influence in midfield 5

Oyenuga (for Gray 74)

Bingham (for Oates 75)

(not used): Bartlett (gk), Harrison, Fenwick, Jones.

OXFORD UNITED (4-4-2): Buchel 6; Baldock 6, Mullins 7, Dunkley 7, Scarz 5; MacDonald 8, Sercombe 7, Lundstram 6, Roofe 6; Maguire 5 (Hylton 62, 6), Hoban 6 (O’Dowda 83). Subs (not used): Slocombe (gk), Rose, Ruffles, Long, Evans.

MAN OF THE MATCH Nicky Featherstone – an energetic and authorative performance in central midfield. A key performer in a 4-3-3 formation.