Goal:

1-0: Featherstone (17, low angled drive across the keeper from 20 yards)

Bookings: James (30, dissent); Kioso (51, foul); Weir (59, foul); Weston (76, foul)

Referee: Joe Hull (Cheshire): Hapless, hopeless and not helped by his comedy sidekicks 2

Attendance: 3773

Entertainment: 5/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (3-5-2):

7 Loach: Always in the thick of it under long ball pressure. Never troubled and made his stops when he had to;

8 Kioso: Defies his inexperience with his defensive nous. Made tackles and interceptions throughout and gave as good as he good

9 MAGNAY: In the absence of Davies, he has took on the mantle of defensive leader. A towering presence in the middle of the back three;

7 Anderson: Did what was asked of him and stood his ground when put under pressure in the second-half;

6 Donaldson: Didn’t get much chance to attack and played deeper than he prefers, but stuck at what was asked of him

8 Featherstone: Scored and is relishing the freedom of playing in a three-man midfield. Gives him the opportunity to show a side of his game not on display too much

8 Noble: Knows how to play the game, used all his nous and gamesmanship when called he had to. Must be an absolute nuisance to play against

7 Woods: Should have scored to put Pools two up shortly after the opener, another who is suited to a three-man midfield set-up

6 Kitching: Solid on the left, against a full-back who likes to get forward. Plenty of effort and honesty in his performance;

8 Muir: Fast becoming a crowd favourite – touch and movement exemplary throughout the game and his wiry running caused the defenders problems

8 James: A good understanding with Muir has been formed already. If they aren’t scoring then they are creating and running past defenders.

Subs:

McLaughlin (for Woods 74)

Dinanga (for Muir 90)

(not used): Laing, Cassidy, Newton.

CHESTERFIELD (3-5-2): Burton 6; Evans 3 (Reid 33, 5), Nelson 7, Hollis 6; Talbot 7, Rowley 5, Weston 7, Weir 6 (Fortune 60, 7), Muggleton 7 (Shaw 75); Ugwu 6, Hines 6. Subs (not used): Barry, Maguire.

MAN OF THE MATCH

CARL Magnay – captain last year, but showing his leadership qualities with performances like this