Goals

1-0: MacDonald (44, first dose of defensive calamity saw wide man curl in from long-range)

2-0: MacDonald (46, cross from the right not dealt with and he waltzed across the pedestrians in the back four to score)

3-0: Cansdell-Sherriff (64, near post corner flicked in without a challenge)

4-0: Beavon (69, opened up the defence by making the most of all the time he needed to create opening)

Bookings: Austin (foul 38), Green (foul 88)

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey): Two bizarre and shocking decisions – one offside, one not giving a corner – but this officious official didn’t affect the outcome 4

Attendance: 2,474

Entertainment: **

BURTON ALBION (4-4-2): McLaughlin 5; Edwards 6, Cansdell-Sherriff 6, Mousinho 6, McCrory 6; MacDonald 8 (Harness 77), Weir 8 (Palmer 82), Lenihan 8 , Morris 6; Blyth 7, Beavon 7 (Knowles 72). Subs (not used): Matthews (gk), Taft, Sharps, McGurk.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-2-3-1)

5 Flinders: Shipped four goals, and was again totally exposed and embarrassed by those in front of him;

3 Richards: Part of a back four which collapsed with all-too familiar ease, too static for goals two and four

2 Bates: A truly shocking performance from a player of his experience, his worst yet of a lumbering season

3 Austin: Did nothing to combat the Burton attackers who dominated in and around the penalty area far too easily

5 Holden: Bright in the first half and energetic on the front foot. Could have scored from one forward surge;

4 Featherstone: Deeply ineffective in a deep midfield role. Has stopped getting on the ball and passing it simply like he was when he signed

6 DOLAN: First-half was Pools’ stand-out performer by some distance, but when he was pushed to the left wing he was quiet;

4 Franks: Never stopped trying and running, but created nothing of note

3 Walker: Desperately unproductive. Had a cushioned role to try and support the striker, but never got involved

5 Compton: A bright start on his return from injury, but impact was minimal before being replaced;

5 Harewood: Lone striker, with no support from midfield. Never looked like he was going to be a goal threat.

Subs:

Woods (for Compton 46): Never involved as Pools collapsed within minutes of his arrival 4

Fenwick (for Harewood 63): Like Harewood before him, not a day for a Pools centre forward 4

Green (for Walker 68): Put himself about a bit to show the more experienced players how to get about the opposition 6

(not used): Maxted (gk), Hawkins, Lanzoni, Ironside.

MAN OF THE MATCH

ALEX MacDonald – two goals, hard-working and committed display