Goals:

1-0: Davies (34, short corner clipped to the far post where the captain latched onto the cross to head home)

2-0: Davies (82, Muir picked up a half-cleared free-kick, crossed and the centre-half held off a defender to head in)

Bookings: Kioso (26, foul); Donaldson (44, simulation)

Referee: Gareth Rhodes (York): Where do we start? Tried to be authoritive at first, then somehow failed to award Pools a penalty when Davies was climbed over and from then just lost any semblance of control or composure 2

Attendance: 2,988

Entertainment: 3/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (3-5-2):

7 Loach: When he had to make saves, he did so. Vital close-range stop at the start of the second half to keep Pools level and keep nerves at bay;

6 Magnay: Back on the right of the back three with Davies back in the side and did all that was asked of him. A no fuss display

8 Davies: As a centre-half, he’s dominant as they come. As an attacker he was prolific. Scored two strong headers, should really have had a hat-trick

7 Kioso: Proved again what a find he is. Doesn’t make mistakes, and when someone gets the better of him, his recovery and positioning gets him out of any situation;

6 Kitching: Had a good chance to open the scoring, but denied by the goalkeeper’s legs. Does a competent job down the left, and proving a reliable operator

5 Featherstone: It’s noticeable when he loses possession and too many of his forward passes went astray on this occasion

6 Noble: Like Featherstone he gave the ball away on occasions with the odd slack pass. Again showed his gamesmanship in the closing stages and it was from his free-kick that the second goal eventually arrived

7 Woods: A late call up as McLaughlin was injured in the warm-up. Got about the pitch, covering plenty of ground and while he might not have been a goal threat, he was combative throughout

5 Donaldson: Didn’t get much chance to break ahead and gallop down the right flank in the manner he has this season;

8 JAMES: Ran, chased, harassed and unsettled the big visiting back three. Close to scoring and never stopped all afternoon

6 Muir: Delightful cross for the second goal as he kept the ball alive from a free-kick. Neat and tidy hold up play all afternoon.

Sub:

Anderson (for Kioso 85)

(not used): Hawkins, Hawkes, Dinanga, Catterick (gk).

BOREHAM WOOD (3-5-2): Balcombe 6; Champion 5, Parry 6, Fyfield 7; Thomas 5 (Shaibu 66, 5), Smith 6, Murtagh 6, Shakes 5, Ilesanmi 6; Ugwu 7, Umerah 7. Subs (not used): Huddart, Morgan, Gibbs, Ndaiye.

MAN OF THE MATCH: LUKE James – two goals for Andrew Davies, but the striker’s workrate and effort was smart throughout.