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