Goals:

1-0: Alessandra (45, cut into space on the left and his curling effort towards goal was diverted in)

2-0: Bates (80, ran into space to meet Alessandra’s free-kick and head in)

Bookings: Cranston (foul 71); Downes (foul 79)

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Preston): Been a regular at Pools over the years, and managed the game with experience 7

Attendance: 3,316

Entertainment: 3/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):

5 Carson: Spilled a shot, gobbled up loose ball and smashed his little finger in the process;

6 Donnelly: Didn’t start too well, but settled and gave a very steady and impressive show at right-back

8 Bates: How he’s been missed at the back, faultless from start to finish and spreads calmness and belief to others

6 Nsiala: Two first-half rushes of blood could have cost Pools, but won his headers and tackles when he had to against a strong side

7 Carroll: Given the chance to press forward against a three-man defensive unit and made the most of it in the second-half;

7 Hawkins: Busy, very good in tight situations and another imposing midfield performance as he influenced plenty of attacks

6 Featherstone: Pools were up against a five-man midfield, but his positional sense and willingness to use the ball intelligently meant it didn’t matter

6 Laurent: Signed a new deal before the game but didn’t start very convincingly before getting better as it went on;

8 ALESSANDRA: Pools’ most potent force, roamed around from the right in a much more free role and made the most of it

6 Amond: Hit the frame of the goal later on but found openings and chances hard to come by this week in a lively performance

7 Deverdics: An astute performance on the left side of the front three. Starting to show what he’s all about after a slow start to his Pools career.

Subs:

Bartlett (for Carson 33): A stunning save seconds into the second half proved vital in keeping the advantage and took confidence from it 7

Woods (for Deverdics 82)

Harrison (for Donnelly 87)

(not used): Paynter, Oates, Woods, Orrell.

CHELTENHAM (3-5-2): Griffiths 5; O’Shaugnessy 5, Downes 6, Parslow 5; Cranston 6, Pell 7, Munns 5 (Holman 57, 5), Dayton 4 (Arthur 87), Dickie 4; Waters 5 (Morgan-Smith 81), Wright 6. Subs (not used): Kitscha, Barthram, Lymn, Whitehead.

MAN OF THE MATCH LEWIS Alessandra – full of energy and constant movement, with another assist to his name to boot.