Goals:

1-0: Paynter pen (59, Thomas bundled over and penalty was stuck low and powerfully home)

2-0: Jackson (72, towering header in off the crossbar from a high Richards corner)

2-1: Zoko (90, far post header from a right wing cross)

Bookings: Zoko (24, foul); Tozer (38, foul); Thomas (52, foul); Paynter (80, unsporting behaviour)

Sending-off: Smith (79, violent conduct)

Referee: Kevin Wright (Accrington): An afternoon riddled with strange decisions, a debateable penalty and some confusing calls 4

Attendance: 3,923

Entertianment: 3/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-1-2-3):

6 Carson: Safe and solid as he always is – but left raging after conceding a goal in injury time to deny a deserved clean sheet

7 Richards: Delivery from open play and set-piece was impressive and is enjoying a steady run in the side after an injury-hit season

7 Bates: A cool head at the back, used his nous and experience throughout and will have a key role to play under his former Boro compatriot Hignett

6 Jackson: Will have enjoyed his first career goal, a cracking header to cap off a firm and stout defensive performance

6 Jones: Given an opportunity and never let anyone down, brought some confidence to the left-back spot with Carroll taken out of the firing line;

7 Featherstone: Important position in Pools’ new formation – key job in protecting the back four and keeping the ball moving;

6 Woods: Too quiet and a bit tame in the first-half when he could have been involved a bit more than he was, but improved after the break

6 Gray: Twice went close early on – first after only 24 seconds. Well suited to this formation with the freedom to roam and attack;

6 Thomas: In and out of the game like he always will be. But he sparked Pools in the second-half with a few positive surges forward, winning the penalty and almost getting a quick second

7 PAYNTER: Beaten by Smith in the first-half too often, but came into his own after the break, scoring from the spot and drawing Smith into being sent-off with all his experience

6 James: Worked away, caused problems, despite being flattened time and time again with no interest from the officials.

Subs:

Magnay (for Featherstone 62): Deep lying role in midfield and it’s going to be between him and Featherstone who plays there 6

Bingham (for Thomas 63): Looked more positive going forward, but showed he’s not adept with the defensive side of the game 5

Fenwick (for Paynter 81)

(not used): Bartlett (gk), Carroll, Harrison, Hawkins.

YEOVIL TOWN (4-3-3): Krysiak 6; Roberts 5, Sokolik 6, Smith 6, Dickson 5; DOLAN 7 (Gillett 74), Zoko 6, Tozer 6; Compton 2 (Cornick 26, 6), Bird 5 (Campbell 72), Walsh 5. Subs (not used): Laird, Ward, Weale (gk), Lacey.

MAN OF THE MATCH Billy Paynter – used all his experience in the second half to secure Pools victory