Goal:

1-0: Walker pen (48, sent keeper the wrong low, going low to his left after Featherstone was felled)

Bookings: Tshibola (33, foul); Clements (37, foul), Key (63, unsporting behaviour); Raynes (67, foul); McGuire (86, foul)

Referee: Darren Handley (Bolton): Two big decisions – penalty and sending-off – and he got them both correct 7

Attendance: 4,166

Entertainment: 4/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (3-5-2):

8 Flinders: Three fine late saves – none better than the one to keep out a rising 25 yard drive into the top corner – means it’s three clean sheets in a week;

6 Harrison: Was continuing in the manner he’s been playing of late and dominating in the air before he fell awkwardly and forced off feeling dizzy

7 Mirfin: Another game, another impeccably solid performance in the middle of the defence. Has proved to be a vital loan capture

7 Jones: Mature and astute again, reading the game and situations well. Has been a real find for Ronnie Moore;

7 Duckworth: Started at wing back and reverted to full back and while he might be playing on the opposite flank to normal, he’s been very impressive

8 Walker: Back to the player he was of last season, strong and energetic in the middle of the park. Took a nerveless penalty

7 Tshibola: Never wastes a pass, wins the ball everytime he challenges for it and is a real imposing presence game in, game out

9 FEATHERSTONE: The best midfield performance seen at Victoria Park in a long time – dominated possession, used it well and his surges forward were vital in pushing Pools on

7 Austin: Back to form after a recent dip – solid and committed out wide and his experience will be vital in the coming weeks;

8 Franks: Some terrific and decisive second-half wing play and while he wasn’t happy at moving back wide from up front, he responded to Moore’s change and pep talk

7 Bird: Chased and harassed from start to finish. Pools want to keep him for the rest of the season and extend his loan, but he will be a miss when he can’t play against his own club next time out.

Subs:

J Jones (for Harrison 33): In and out of the game at times, but showed some positivity out wide in running at the opposition 7

Hawkins (for Walker 90)

(not used): Maxted (gk), Harewood, Nelson-Aaddy, Richards, Smith

MANSFIELD (4-1-4-1): Pidgeley 6; Beevers 5 (Bingham 72), Raynes 6, Riley 6, Heslop 5; McGuire 6; Hawkridge 5 (Lambe 53, 7), Clements 6, Heslop 4 (Oliver 50, 6), Brown 5; Kee 3. Subs (not used): Studer (gk), Sutton, Rhead, Ravenhill.

MAN OF THE MATCH Nicky Featherstone – ran the game at times. Head up, he used the ball astutely all afternoon.