Goals:

0-1: Watkins (low edge of the area finish after brushing off Kavanagh)

1-1: Alessandra (touched in from an angle after Thomas had a cross deflected into his path)

2-1: Amond (crashed in from the edge of the area, following a powerful Oates run)

3-1: Alessandra (fine individual effort, cutting in from the touchline to crack in from 20 yards)

Bookings: Thomas (90, unsporting behaviour); Taylor-Moore (90, unsporting behaviour)

Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury): Frustrated the crowd with some soft calls, but did get the Exeter penalty appeals right 6

Attendance: 3,775

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-5-1):

7 Fryer: Commands his area and plays with a confidence which defies his experience and years;

6 Donnelly: Started on the right and switched flanks to his usual solid effect without any fuss

7 Walker: Seriously, has he really been a central midfielder by trade? Assured and strong, playing there like it’s second nature to him

7 Harrison: Has he ever played so consistently well? Dominated in the air and read the game well

5 Kavanagh: Beaten easily for the Exeter goal and his game was ended early with a hamstring strain;

9 OATES: When he was pushed up front in the second-half, Exeter just couldn’t handle him. Was out on his feet by the end

8 Alessandra: Two goals to make it four in a week, both of them on this occasion superbly taken. Another who stepped it up in the second half

6 Featherstone: It does what it says on the tin. Always know what to expect and he knitted the side together with his passing

5 Woods: Taken off as Pools switched formation and he didn’t get forward in the manner he can and is able to

7 Thomas: Frustrating first-half as he struggled with his touch, but it came together in the second half and he’s always a threat on the front foot;

8 Amond: It’s 13 goals for the season and even when he’s isolated he never stops. Took his goal with confidence.

Subs:

Richardson (for Kavanagh): A real find at right-back. Got straight into the game and the crowd appreciated his efforts late on 8

Hawkins (for Woods 58): Lively on the ball in midfield and kept Pools moving 7

(not used): Bartlett (gk), Bates, Orrell, Rooney, Hawkes.

EXETER CITY (4-3-3): Ojlenik 6; Stacey 7, Brown 6, Moore-Taylor 7, Woodman 6 (Sweeney 87); Harley 7, Taylor 6 (Grant 79), James 7; Wheeler 5, Watkins 7, Reid 6 (McAlinden 65, 5). Subs (not used): Archibald-Henville, Tillson, Hamon, Croll.

MAN OF THE MATCH Rhys Oates – when he switched up front, he was a battering ram of a centre-forward.