Goals:

0-1: Effiong pen (37, contentiously awarded, and the striker cracked the spot kick into the top corner)

0-2: Rigg (84, bundled in from close range after Pools were opened up on the right)

Bookings: Richardson (8, foul); Raynes (18, foul); Noble (27, unsporting behaviour); Rigg (27, unsporting behaviour)

Sending-offs: Donaldson (80, dissent); Featherstone (87, dissent)

Referee: Joe Johnson (Liverpool): Hopeless 0

Attendance: 3,329

Entertainment: 5/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3)

5 Killip: Confidence levels seem to have dropped after he started to show what he is all about. One of many to lose his train of thought with the referee;

5 Richardson: An early booking didn’t affect his performance and remained focused before he was replaced as Pools tried to get back into the game with a shift in formation

6 Raynes: Was up against a strong opponent in Effiong who fought for everything and it was a constant physical battle

6 Cunningham: Calm and assured when he came into the game, an old head on young shoulders as part of a back three;

5 Kioso: As committed as ever. Was affected by the first-half incident and it remains to be seen what the longer-term effects are

5 Noble: Was in the referee’s ear from the off and was then booked, along with Rigg, for nothing. Not performing to the standard he was recently and needs to influence games more

5 Mafuta: Riled by the referee early on, affected by the racism incident later. Second half was a shadow of the player he is

7 DONALDSON: Drove forward and ran at the opposition when he could. A constant running battle with the referee when endless decisions went against Pools and sent off for saying too much in frustration

5 Kitching: Tried to find space on the left side, first-half especially, but too often he was overlooked when an early ball wide would have paid off;

7 Toure: Sparked into gear in the second half when Pools were fired up. Should have had a penalty, hit the post after a sparkling run

6 Kabamba: Put his effort in up top without getting much joy from the back line.

Subs:

James (for Richardson 73)

Featherstone (for Noble 78)

(not used): Hawkes, Holohan, Kennedy.

DOVER (4-2-3-1): Worgan 6; Passley 6, Doe 6, De Havilland 6, Simpson 6; Woods 6, Cumberbatch 5; Modeste 6, Rigg 6 (Rooney 87), Reason 5; Effiong 7. Subs (not used): Mersin, Taylor, Lokko, L’Ghoul.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Inih Effiong – a handful throughout and a player who, according to visiting boss Andy Hessenthaler, isn’t appreciated by the club’s supporters.