HARTLEPOOL United remain in League One - after their season ended with a 4-1 thrashing at Bristol Rovers.

Pools end the season a point outside the bottom four, and survived on an nervous final day thanks to Leeds United's 3-0 win over Northampton - a result which puts the Cobblers down with Crewe, Hereford and Cheltenham.

Pools gave a nervous and shabby performance at the Memorial Stadium, as they got off to a wretched start, falling two goals down after just five minutes.

Goalkeeper Jan Budtz spilled a shot into the path of Jo Kuffour who slotted in.

Then former Pools loan signing Darryl Duffy was allowed to roam in from the left flank and roll a low shot home.

If Pools were worried about relegation before the game, the spectre loomed large at 3.10pm.

But Pools then settled down and started to get back into the game. After Andy Monkhouse headed wide, Daniel Nardiello grabbed one back.

His first shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar, his second was saved by Steve Phillips and he then turned sharply to finally net.

But any hope Pools had of getting a point evaporated within minutes of the restart.

First Rickie Lambert, 50 seconds into the second half, shot low past Budtz for his 29th of the season and then defender Aaron Lescott netted from a similar position.

BRISTOL ROVERS - Phillips; Pipe (Disley 58mins), Elliot, Anthony, Lescott, Reece (Rigg 76), Campbell, Lines, Duffy, Kuffour (Hunt 68), Lambert. Unused subs - St Louis-Hamilton (gk), Kite.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED - Budtz; Liddle, Nelson (Humphreys 68), Collins, Scarz, Jones (Rowell 77), Clark, Sweeney, Monkhouse, Robson, Nardiello. Unused subs - Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Mackay.

Referee - G. Hegley, Bishops Stortford.