Goal:

1-0: Ribeiro (90, low finish from ten yards after being set up in a packed penalty area)

Booking: Woods (62, foul)

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northampton): Soaked by the sprinklers before the game in his suit, but that was the only time he was troubled 8

Attendance:

Entertainment: 3/5

EXETER CITY (4-3-3): Olejnik 6; Ribeiro 6, Brown 6, Tillson 5, McAllister 7; Harley 8, Noble 7, Oakley 7 (Grant 75); Wheeler 6, Nichols 6 (Morrison 61, 5), Nicholls 7 (Holmes 66, 6). Subs (not used): Pym (gk), Woodman, McCready.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):

7 Bartlett: A firm and fine low save to deny McAllister late on looked like it was job done – until he was unsighted and beaten in injury time;

7 Halliday: Settled in seamlessly, looked the part in possession and pressing forward on the flank

6 Harrison: Looked a lot more comfortable than he did the week before, although the challenge wasn’t as direct as it was at Wycombe

6 Boyce: Won his headers, kept it simple and did an effective job in the back four. Never troubled

5 Jones: Will improve with an extended run, had his moments – both good and bad – from the very start to the very end; A vital tackle denied Morrison a goal

8 Bates: There’s a spot for him in the holding role in midfield. Used the ball well and gave the others a platform to roam and play

7 Featherstone: Improved on previous, always involved and did everything asked as he enjoyed the captaincy

6 Woods: Some nice and neat touches, always comfortable in possession without directly hurting the opposition;

7 Carroll: A very advanced position and offered support defensively when called upon. Very honest and hard-working

4 Bingham: Hesitant in front of goal when he had a shooting chance and wasted the easiest opening of all with a weak penalty

8 OATES: His best game yet for Pools – Exeter struggled to handle him when he charged forward and showed his potential.

Sub:

Fenwick (for Bingham 71)

(not used): Worley, Walker, Oyenuga, Hawkins, Smith, Denton (gk)

MAN OF THE MATCH Rhys Oates - showed pace and was direct in charging forward