Goal:

1-0: Worrall (64, Featherstone lost the ball in midfield and, from a quick break, midfielder drilled in from 20 yards)

Bookings: Timlin (12, foul); Austin (45, foul), Fenwick (85, unsporting behaviour)

Referee: Pat Millar (Luton): Let some things go he shouldn’t have, pulled up play at times when he didn’t need to 5

Attendance: 5,268

Entertainment: 3/5

SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2): Bentley 6; Thompson 7, Prosser 8, BOLGER 8, White 7; Worrall 7, Timlin 8, Leonard 6, Hurst 7; Payne 6, Corr 6. Subs (not used): Smith (gk), Atkinson, Clifford, Coulthirst, Layne, Deegan, Matsuzak.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):

7 Flinders: Busy day, positioning was good and his handling was safe. Made a number of good saves;

7 Duckworth: Powerful driving forward from deep and he had a big defensive job in dealing with Worrall

7 COLLINS: Solid and reliable, committed display in the middle of the back four

7 Harrison: Had a couple of uneasy moments – from which he recovered – in possession at the back and did a solid job

6 Austin: Had a task to keep Hurst quiet and did the job in main. Booked for a crunching half-time tackle;

6 Featherstone: Always involved and showed for the ball, but lost possession for the only goal and it seemed to affect his performance for the last half hour

5 Walker: Showed the odd neat touch and some midfield drive, but without getting in the thick of the game

4 Crooks: Didn’t put himself about physically in the game when plenty of firm challenges were being made in midfield and replaced in the second half;

5 Schmeltz: Swopped sides with Franks to try and create openings and, while he roamed around seeking possession and was on the front foot, didn’t have a big impact

6 Wyke: Had his work cut out against two dominant and strong central defenders, but never hid from the task

6 Franks: Had a couple of good openings to add to last weekend’s goals and should have brought Pools level soon after they conceded.

Subs:

Fenwick (for Crooks 56): Introduction to professional football was a tricky one, but put himself about and was ever-willing 6

Richards (for Schmeltz 56): Took up a spot on the right in a 4-4-2 to try and get the ball into the area 5

Harewood (for Wyke 79)

(not used): Holden, Bates, Hawkins, Jones.

MAN OF THE MATCH

CIAN Bolger – never gave Charlie Wyke a chance