HARTLEPOOL UNITED proved they are no clowns as they ended their season with victory at Tranmere Rovers.

The home side are in the end of season play-offs, while Pools end the campaign in 15th spot.

Matthew Bates, the caretaker manager, chalked up his fifth win from 13 games thanks to goals from Liam Donnelly and Rhys Oates.

And the 738 travelling fans, dressed as clowns as has become Pools tradition for the final away game of the season, left Prenton Park happy.

The performance, with Pools lining up 4-3-3 was effective and solid. The players put a big shift in and were rewarded with a deserved win.

Lewis Hawkins had a first-half volley saved, Jake Cassidy had an overhead kick sail over the bar.

At the other end, Scott Loach saved well to deny striker James Norwood as he tried to skirt around the keeper.

But at the half came to a close, Pools took the lead.

Liam Donnelly was bundled over in the area and the right-back netted the spot kick, firing low to his right.

Pools stayed in control in the second period, with Loach having little do to.

In front of him, Nicky Featherstone was superb in central midfield with every player putting a shift in.

And they were rewarded with a second goal.

A deep corner was kept alive by Louis Laing, who rolled the ball back to Donnelly and he found substitute Rhys Oates who backheeled home in front of the travelling clowns.

Two minutes later and Rovers got one back, a fine free-kick from Jeff Hughes curling around the defensive wall.

But Pools saw the game out comfortably and end the season in 15th spot in the table.

Pools will appoint a permanent manager next week, with Matthew Bates doing his chances the power of good with his fifth victory in 13 games in charge.

Bates said: “I think it was one of the best performances away from home we have had this season – I’m really pleased.

“It’s the last game and we were at a team who are already in the play-offs. We went two goals up and I think we fully deserved the win.

“We have been struggling at times being good in possession and then bad out of possession, or the other way round, but today we were good at both.

“We were very good, played some lovely stuff and were solid at the back.

“Liam took his penalty well and he takes them for Northern Ireland  Under-21s. There was a wait before he could take it and he was confident. The lads could have come here and been on holiday and thinking of their summer,  but they weren’t and they played very well.’’