HARTLEPOOL UNITED have been fined for fielding an 'under-strength' team in a competition in which they produced the performance of the round.

The Football League have fined Pools £1,500 for failing to comply with a ruling of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which stipulates that six of a team's starting XI must have appeared in most matches this season.

Only five of Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson's team that defeated Rotherham on October 17 fulfilled that criteria, resulting in the Victoria Park outfit being hit with the penalty.

Pool feel aggrieved as eight of that team: Jim Provett, Michael Nelson, Ben Clark, Jon Brackstone, Lee Bullock, Gavin Strachan, Matty Robson and Jon Daly all have plenty of Football League experience.

And even a couple of the youngsters, David Foley and James Brown, have had big parts to play this season.

And the fine is the result of a game for which Hartlepool received the Team of the Round trophy yesterday from the competition's sponsors for the way in which they overcame Rotherham of League One.

Speaking prior to the Football League's announcement, Johnstone's sponsorship manager Teresa Quinn said: "We felt that the players demonstrated a real commitment to the tie and played in a spirit befitting to what this competition is all about.

"Everyone at Johnstone's is fully committed to this sponsorship and we are determined to make this a memorable competition for the clubs and for the fans alike. Now, having experienced the first round, I believe the Johnstone's Paint Trophy has got off to a very good start."

Pools, after today's league meeting with Darlington, face Doncaster in the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Scunthorpe have been fined £4,500, of which £1,500 will be suspended for a year, for a similar breach of rules.

Former Everton and Manchester City winger Peter Beagrie is set to hang up his boots after negotiating his release from League Two side Grimsby.

Beagrie, who turns 41 next month, has been struggling with a back injury recently after making his final appearance for the Mariners against Hartlepool last month.

Beagrie is expected to concentrate on a career in the media after Grimsby boss Graham Rodger agreed to release him from his contract after nine appearances.