HARTLEPOOL UNITED were rolled over at Luton – but it’s as you were at the bottom of the Football League.

Defeats for relegation rivals Tranmere and Cheltenham mean Pools stay out of the bottom two with just two games remaining.

Pools first-half display at Kenilworth Road was shocking, they  were outpaced, outbattled and completely outplayed.

And by the break they could count themselves lucky they were only two goals down.

They fell behind after five minutes as Luton’s fourth corner was nodded in from close range by Cameron McGeehan.

It was two on 15 minutes, Aaron Tshibola needlessly pushing Howells as he ran into the penalty area and he slotted in low from the penalty spot.

Flinders had to race off his line to halt the progress of Howells as he homed in on goal, before Nicky Featherstone cleared a goalbound Lee shot off the line, Flinders then saved the follow up from Howells and, when the rebound was put in, Pools were saved by an offside flag.

Lee outmuscled Harrison and Austin to get in a low shot superbly saved by Flinders as the home side ran Pools ragged.

Pools were without the injured David Mirfin and his experience was missed at the back.

All Pools mustered in attack in the first-half was a low shot from Franks which was saved at the near post.

The second period saw Pools on top, Luton were uneasy with their lead.

But the visitors offered little in the opposition penalty area and paid the price when they conceded from another corner.

Following a frantic scramble, defender Griffiths turned in from close range.

Despite the inept performance, Pools can secure safety next weekend if they beat Exeter and both Cheltenham and Tranmere lose. 

 

LUTON TOWN: Justham; Harriman, Wilkinson, McNulty, Griffiths; Whalley (Hall 75), McGeerhan, Smith, Howells (Gutteridge 82); Lee (Miller 87), Cullen. Subs: Lacey, Wall, Miller, Kinsella, King (gk)

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Austin, Harrison, D Jones, Duckworth; Franks, Tshibola, Featherstone; Fenwick (J Jones 63), Harewood, Hugill (Nelson-Addy 77). Subs: Bates, Walker, Parnaby, Maxted (gk), Richards.

Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincoln)