Goals:
1-0: Paynter pen (25, low penalty, awarded after Featherstone was took down in the area)
1-1: Daniel (75, long throw-in wasn’t dealt with and substitute swept in a smart finish from 10 yards)
2-1: Paynter pen (85, Magnay was tripped and the captain cracked in a powerful spot-kick)
Bookings: Collins (24, unsporting behaviour), Thomas (24, unsporting behaviour); Blair (54, foul); Bates (73, handball); Tafazolli (86, unsporting behaviour)
Sending-off: Pearce (24, foul)
Referee: Graham Salisbury (Preston): Got his big calls correct with the penalties, but Pools felt his overall game wasn’t up to scratch 5
Attendance: 3,893
Entertainment: 5/5
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):
8 Carson: When he was called into action in the second half, he produced three majestic saves to keep Pools in front;
7 Magnay: Won the second penalty and was comfortable at wing-back when Pools shifted formation
7 Bates: Maintained his run with another assured and comfortable display – defended well and tried to use the ball smartly from the back
7 Jackson: Wins headers he appears to have no right to win and never looks like he’s in any trouble defensively
6 Carroll: Did what was asked of a left-back, didn’t allow many crosses over and kept a tight defensive lead on his man;
8 Hawkins: A mature and intelligent performance in midfield, smart in possession and always available for the ball
7 Featherstone: Great break from deep to win the first penalty – scoring isn’t his game, however and the work he does to keep Pools moving is first rate
5 Gray: A fairly quiet game this time out, didn’t have much direct impact on the game;
6 James: Some early controlled touches out wide were sublime, moved to a central role when Pools went to 4-4-2, but chances in front of goal were scarce
7 Paynter: Two penalties, two converted. Another strong display from the centre-forward as he came under attack from defenders again
7 Thomas: Pantomime villain for the visitors – fans and players alike. Admitted later he probably tried too hard, but was always a threat, in more ways than one.
Subs:
Jones (for Thomas 69): Introduced as an extra centre-half as Pools came under long-ball bombardment 5
Woods (for Gray 81)
Bingham (for James 83)
(not used): Bartlett (gk), Walker, Oates, Richards.
MANSFIELD TOWN (4-3-1- 2): Shearer 6; Collins 6, Pearce 4, Tafazolli 6, Benning 4; CHAPMAN 7, Clements 5 (Daniel 39, 6), J Thomas 6; Blair 7; Green 6, Dieseruvwe 4 (Alfei 29, 6 (Beardsley 86)). Subs (not used): Jensen (gk), Rose, Lambe, Baxendale.
MAN OF THE MATCH Trevor Carson – Craig Hignett called him the best in the division, and rightly so.
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