Match ratings and statistics from Hartlepool's 2-0 win over East Thurrock United.

Goals

1-0: Franks (32, took the ball on the left, drove through the middle and picked out the bottom corner from 25 yards)

1-1: Franks (86, nodded in on the line after a Harewood cross was spilled)

Bookings: Higgins (51, foul), Duckworth (57, foul), Harris (69, unsporting behaviour)

Referee: Ben Toner (Darwen): Normally a Conference official, but didn’t do much wrong on this display 7

Attendance: 2,800

Entertainment: 3/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-1-1):

6 Flinders: Did what he had to do, switched on throughout and made a couple of important saves when called upon

7 Duckworth: Rampaging forward, could have scored again, and it’s good to see him on the front foot again after being restricted early in the season

8 Collins: Experience to the fore. Used the ball positively from the back as he saw plenty of possession, and defended well

7 Austin: Like Collins, was reliable and his solid performance one of the factors in seeing Pools to victory

5 Jones: Recalled after three games out and tried to get forward on the ball. Steady if unspectacular;

6 Richards: Put some neat crosses into the area from wide and linked up well with Duckworth on the right at times

8 Featherstone: Neat and tidy in midfield, never wasted a pass and kept Pools ticking along

5 Walker: On the fringes of the game this time after scoring in his last two appearances and showing signs of the player of last season

7 Franks: Scored two, could have had five. Denied by the visiting keeper on occasions, and should be boosted by his finishes;

5 Schmletz: Didn’t have the impact of last week on his first start. Showed signs of tiredness as the game went on before he was replaced;

4 Harewood: Twice denied by keeper Hughes, but the part-time defenders – he was marked by a fireman – will have enjoyed getting the better of him.

Sub:

Woods (for Schmeltz, 74)

(not used): Holden, Bates, Hawkins, Smith, Green, Crooks.

EAST THURROCK UNITED (4-4-2): HUGHES 10; Witherspoon 7 (Symons 87), Wood 7, Goodacre 7, Stephen 8; Bryant 6 (Sammons 80), Peddie 5, Parmenter 5, Gilbey 6 (Harris 65, 5); Higgins 6, Smith 5. Subs (not used): Symons, Anderson, Paxman, Burton.

MAN OF THE MATCH

DAVID Hughes – inspired from start to finish, enjoyed the experience throughout.