Goals:
0-1: Cullen (40, fired low and under Flinders after being played in behind left-back Jones)
0-2: Wilkinson (80, substitute tapped in from close range with his first touch after Flinders parried a free-kick)
1-2: Austin pen (struck high to left side, penalty awarded after Walker was felled)
Bookings: None
Referee: Paul Tierney (Hull): Not helped by either of his woeful assistants throughout. Denied Pools a clear penalty with the score at 0-0 3
Attendance: 4,225
Entertainment: 3/5
HARTLEPOOL (4-2-3-1)
6 Flinders: Again wasn’t worried about coming off his line. Will be disappointed with the manner of the second goal;
7 Duckworth: As dogged as ever, and ploughed forward with purpose as his good run of form continued
6 Austin: Struck his penalty well and is enjoying his chance to play at centre-half after being moved into the middle from wide
6 Harrison: Gets on with his job well, solid and again used the ball positively in possession
6 Jones: Doesn’t look like a rookie in the side, has settled in well. Ball slid in behind him for the opening goal;
6 Miller: Kept going in the congested middle of the pitch, where Luton had three central-midfielders, and tried to spray the ball around
6 Bates: Almost scored in the first half with a foray forward into the penalty area, and helped out Miller in the middle;
7 Brobbel: Full of confidence and tricks in the first half, as he ran at the Luton defence at will from both left and right sides
5 Woods: Never really got going on this occasion, had little impact on the overall game before being replaced
7 Hawkins: Showed good skill and footwork in tight situations, but played deeper Pools needed him to get forward and hurt Luton further up the field;
6 Wyke: Ever willing and able despite being shackled all afternoon. Denied a penalty when he was dumped in the penalty area.
Subs:
Smith (for Woods 63): Introduced to get at the back four with his pace and tricky nature 6
Walker (for Bates 78)
Franks (for Hawkins 88)
(not used): Woodman (gk), Richards, Nearney, Green.
LUTON TOWN (4-3-3): Tyler 6; Harriman 6, McNulty 9, Wilkinson 8, Griffiths 7; Doyle 6, Drury 7, Smith 6; Cullen 5 (Benson 71), Ruddock 8 (Stevenson 79), Miller 7. Subs (not used): Lacey, Wall, Justham, Guttridge, Walker.
MAN OF THE MATCH
STEVE McNulty – a hefty unit at the back, but unbeatable throughout
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