Goals:

0-1: Alessandra (18, took possession in the area, turned and fired in as the defenders stood off)

1-1: Osayi-Samuel (21, cross to the far post, and had time to shoot low into the far corner)

2-1: Vassell (83, fluked a cross into the far side of the net)

Booked: Donnelly (37 foul); Featherstone (45, foul), Danns (65, foul); Thomas (74, handball)

Referee: Darren England (Barnsley): Shy when it came to making big calls. Should have sent Neil Danns off for a second booking in the second-half but fudged it 4

Attendance: 5,374

Entertainment: 4/5

BLACKPOOL (4-2-3-1): Lyness 7; Mellor 6, Aldred 5, Robertson 6, Daniel 6; Danns 6 (Black 72), Payne 7; Delfounso 5 (Flores 67), Osayi-Samuel 7, Potts 6; Cullen 5 (Vassell 72). Subs: Slocombe (gk), Aimson, Matt, Odelusi.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-5-1):

7 Fryer: Didn’t do anything wrong, made good and solid saves when called into action;

5 Donnelly: Started slowly and uneasily, but did improve as the game went on and got on top of his game

7 Walker: Neat and comfortable in possession and was rarely troubled or flustered at the back once again

7 Harrison: Signed a new deal last week, and it’s fully deserved. Enjoying a consistent run of good form

6 Deverdics: Slotted in well at left-back and he’s happy with the ball at his feet in building from the back;

6 Thomas: A frustrating afternoon. In and out of the game, but is always a threat. Closely marked throughout

6 Woods: Got better after a slow start and when he gets the ball in advanced positions he can hurt the opposition

5 Featherstone: Didn’t get much room or space in midfield to try and dictate possession for Pools in his usual manner

7 Hawkins: His best show under boss Jones. Involved and at the heart of a hard-working midfield unit

7 ALESSANDRA: Took his goal well and kept going, looking for that opening on the front foot, while putting in a real shift;

7 Amond: A bit of a thankless task up front alone, but never gives the opposition a chance to settle. Should have scored when clean through.

Sub:

Rooney (for Woods 82)

(not used): Dudzinski (gk), Bates, Oates, Hawkes, Richardson, Rodney.

MAN OF THE MATCH Lewis Alessandra: Always involved and even when he erred he still did everything to rectify the mistake. Playing as well for Pools now as he has all season.