HARTLEPOOL UNITED romped to a fine 5-2 win at Morecambe in a game they dominated from the off.

Pools were superb throughout, as they bounced back in style from Tuesday’s defeat at Carlisle United.

York’s draw at home to Wycombe and Dagenham’s defeat to Portsmouth means Pools are safe from relegation.

Morecambe, who had goalkeeper Barry Roche red carded on 75 minutes, were ran ragged by Nathan Thomas from the opening minutes.

He set up Michael Woods for the opening goal on three minutes when his effort was pushed out by keeper Roche and the midfielder volleyed in his first goal for Pools since the win at York last August.

Thomas then ran at hapless full back Shaun Beeley and his shot deflected up into the net – Pools were two-up after only six minutes.

As they controlled possession and the tempo of the game, they had out of sorts Morecambe chasing shadows.

On 12 minutes, Thomas could have finished the game off when he skipped by Beeley, but pushed his low shot across goal.

The Shrimps got one back, when Kevin Ellison laid the ball off for Alex Kenyon to drill in an angled shot.

But Pools got the vital third on 50 minutes – the irresistible Thomas scoring again.

He cut into the area from the left side, and as space opened up he cracked in from 20 yards to send the 707 travelling fans wild behind the goal.

On 76 minutes, substitute Brad Walker broke from deep, and looked certain to score as he skipped around keeper Roche who took him down.

A red card meant Kenyon went in goal, and Luke James gobbled up the penalty for his first goal since returning to the club.

It was 4-2 on 87 when Barkhuizen broke from deep and netted, but Pools soon got another.

James broke on the right, knocked across the face of goal and substitute Rhys Oates netted.