Goals:

1-0: Kabamba (6, took a pass from James and his low finish beat keeper Loach)

2-0: Kabamba (28, first-time curling shot from the edge of the area as the ball rolled into his path following a foul on Donaldson)

Bookings: J Taylor (foul 29); H Taylor (45, foul), Dunne (65, dissent)

Sending-off: J Taylor (64, second bookable offence, foul)

Referee: Daniel Middleton (Derby): Played a correct and welcome advantage to bring Pools’ second goal and Barnet made the decisions easy for him to make 7

Attendance: 3,089

Entertainment: 3/5

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

6 Killip: Three clean sheets in a row and the confidence he is playing with was evident with safe and secure handling throughout;

6 Kioso: A standard committed and energetic performance at right-back. Gives little away in the tackle and drives forward to link up with the attacks when the time is right

7 Raynes: Like the week before against Brackley, he did everything expected of a back four leader. Won his headers, led his teammates and organised

6 Kerr: Complimented Raynes well, and while he looked more comfortable in a back three, the switch to a four-man defence hasn’t brought any concerns to the fore

7 Kitching: Another sharp performance from Pools’ most improved player this season. The difference from last season to this is remarkable and he deserves credit for the transformation;

6 Mafuta: An integral part of the side as he stamped his midfield authority on the game and wasn’t afraid to try his luck at goal when the opportunities arose;

8 Featherstone: Always had time and space in the middle of the park to collect the ball and use it astutely, was a game and performance he clearly enjoyed from start to finish

6 Donaldson: Too quiet for the opening half hour, but then got into the game and progressed with some authority in possession and put plenty of effort in

6 Holohan: Always alert and motored around looking for space and holes to exploit. A player appreciated by the crowd and his return to the side was welcomed;

6 James: Lovely touch and pass for the opening goal, workrate can’t be questioned but must have looked at Kabamaba getting the goals and the benefits of getting into the penalty area

8 Kabamba: Two good finishes brought two goals and it’s four goals in five games now for the striker. Confidence has been restored.

Subs:

Toure (for James 77)

Kennedy (for Holohan 81)

Hawkes (for Donaldson 90)

(not used): Muir, Cunningham.

BARNET (4-3-3): Loach 7; Alexander 7, Santos 5 (Dunne 56, 5), Sweeney 5, Tutonda 5; J Taylor 3, Walker 5, Boucaud 6 (Johnson 70, 5); Elito 5 (Mason-Clarke 52, 5), H Taylor 5, Vilhete 6. Subs (not used): Matrevics, Akinola.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Nicky Featherstone – Kabamba might take the goalscoring honours, but the midfielder ran the show at times as he passed it around for fun.