Booking: Bennett (time wasting 69)

Referee: Darren Handley (Bolton): Poor show all round, some slack decision making from start to finish 4

Attendance: 3,775

Entertainment: 2/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):

6 Carson: Didn’t have a lot to do as most play was at the other end. However, his save to deny Green late on was vital;

5 Magnay: Steady on the right before his game was ended by a knee injury, of which the extent is yet to be determined

7 Nsiala: Confident on the ball as he used possession well and did his job defensively with some firmness

7 Harrison: Like his defensive partner, he never gave an inch and can be pleased with his personal response to the Stevenage humbling

7 Donnelly: Solid at the back and tried to get forward, while seamlessly shifting from left back to right back once Magnay was forced off;

5 Featherstone: His influence on the game was pegged back as he was closed down and forced deep by a pack of yellow shirts every time he got the ball

7 HAWKINS: His energy and movement is vital to the cause in a 4-3-3 system. High workrate was key to his display

6 Laurent: Could and really should have won the game for Pools with three openings, but this performance gave an indication that there’s a real player in there;

5 Thomas: Didn’t exert the sort of influence expected against his former club. Started with a powerful surge forward, but was mostly on the fringe of the game

5 Paynter: Dropped deep for possession and that left Pools short up front in the middle. Squandered a good chance to win the game when he lifted his finish over the bar

6 Alessandra: Busy and always tried to get forward to create openings with his direct running and positive outlook.

Subs:

Carroll (for Magnay 45): Confident and comfortable performance after replacing Magnay. Almost scored when his deep cross clipped the bar 6

Amond (for Paynter 74)

Deverdics (for Hawkins 80)

(not used): Bartlett (gk), Richards, Fewster, Heardman.

MANSFIELD TOWN (4-4-2): Shearer 6; Bennett 6; Iacovitti 5, Pearce 6, Benning 6; M Rose 6, COLLINS 7, McGuire 6, Hamilton 6 (Gobern 46, 6); D Rose 6 (Hemmings 71), Green 7. Subs (not used): Jensen (gk), Hoban, Baxendale, Hurst, Henderson.

MAN OF THE MATCH Lewis Hawkins – Pools have missed his energy and pressing in the opening weeks of the season.