Goal:

1-0: Oyenuga (45, close range finish after being played in by Bingham)

Booking: Carson (90, time-wasting)

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Newcastle): Somehow found 75 seconds of additional added on time as Pools almost conceded an equaliser 6

Attendance: 2,287

Entertainment: 2/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):

8 Carson: As Cheltenham peppered the Pools’ penalty area, the goalkeeper was always in command and in control;

7 Duckworth: Looked like the player he can be – comfortable in possession and got forward to join in the second-half attacks

8 Bates: Read the game well, made plenty of interceptions and tackles and held firm in the face of constant pressure

7 Jackson: Can be more than satisfied with his professional debut. Soon settled into the pace of the game and looked accomplished at the back

3 Carroll: Positional sense wasn’t there – and that allowed the visitors too much space and time on the flank;

6 Oyenuga: Tricky and frustrating in equal measure. Shows flashes of what he can do and needs a run in the team to prove his value

5 Featherstone: Very busy and a lot more involved than of late, if a little frustrating in giving away possession at times

6 Gray: An encouraging debut – brought some movement and energy to the midfield and often tried to get forward and support the attacks

3 Oates: After showing plenty of promise and ability, this was his most disappointing game to date for Pools;

5 Fenwick: Added some hustle and bustle to the front line, could have scored when he was close to connecting with a low Bingham cross

4 Paynter: Game over early as he succumbed to an Achilles problem in a quiet first-half for the striker.

Subs:

Bingham (for Paynter 40): Almost got in on a few occasions on the counter attack in the second-half 5

Banton (for Oyenuga 71)

Woods (for Gray 82)

(not used): Bartlett (gk), Walker, Jones, Smith.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Phillips 5; Dickie 5, Downs 6, Parslow 5, McLennan 5 (Vaughan 71); Barthram 6 (Dayton 54, 7), Pell 7, Storer 6, Munns 5 (Hall 62, 6); Wright 5, Waters 6. Subs (not used): Rowe, Lovett, Thomas, Dinsmore.

MAN OF THE MATCH Matthew Bates – used his nous and experience at the back in the face of adversity as he defended stoutly.