Goals:
0-1: Naismith (54, neat backheel at the near post from six yards after being picked out from a low Evans pass)
0-2: Chaplin (84, low, drilled shot across goal from the edge of the area)
Bookings: D Jones (23, foul); Freeman (36, foul)
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Newcastle): Could have gave Pools a first-half penalty when Thomas was held back, but generally sound, even if his assistants weren’t 7
Attendance: 5,046
Entertainment: 2/5
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):
7 Carson: Another assured display which showed why he’s a shoo-in for the player of the year award on Wednesday night;
7 Magnay: Had his work cut out against dangerous wide men, but stuck to his task well and came out of the game with credit
6 Bates: Forced off early in the second half with an ankle injury, which could keep him out of the final game at Plymouth
7 Jackson: Mistakes are few and far between for the centre-half on loan from Middlesbrough. How Pools would like him back next season
6 D Jones: A rare chance in the side at left-back and didn’t let anyone down. Took a booking for the team to stop a dangerous counter-attack;
8 Hawkins: Impressive as he roamed for possession, used the ball well in tight situations and kept Pools busy
6 Featherstone: Does that job in central midfield so well, as he sits in and knits Pools together. A much-improved player this season
6 Woods: Had a fine spell in the second half when he was the game’s dominant figure as he got on the ball and used it well;
6 James: Should have notched when the ball was in his feet inside the six-yard area, and gave his usual 100 per cent effort and graft throughout
6 Paynter: Quiet first-half, then came into the game as he opened up before going off to protect his hamstring after a few weeks on the sidelines
7 Thomas: Drove at the opposition at times, could have had one penalty, wanted two, and caused problems when he ran at the defence in the manner he is capable of.
Subs:
R Jones (for Bates 49): Exposed a little when Pools came under pressure, but used his nous to defend well when he had to 6
Oates (for Paynter 67): Should have scored twice, no hiding from that fact 5
Gray (for Woods 76)
(not used): Bartlett (gk), Walker, Bingham, Richards.
PORTSMOUTH (4-3-3): Murphy 7; Freeman 6, Burgess 7 (Tollitt 90), Barton 8, Stevens 6; Evans 7, Doyle 7, Hollands 6; Naismith 7 (McGurk 64, 5), Smith 5 (Chaplin 70, 6), Roberts 7. Subs (not used): Davies, Whatmore, Close, Haunstrup.
MAN OF THE MATCH Lewis Hawkins – grew into the game and will have a big role to play next season.
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