Goals: 

0-1: Nardeillo (18, picked out by Lowe’s deft cross to head in from close range)

0-2: Rose (74, made the most of Bates’ mistake to finish the game off)

Bookings: Hussey (45, foul), McNulty (51, unsporting behaviour); Etuhu (55, foul)

Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincoln): No big decisions to make, but frustrated Pools with smaller ones              7

Attendance: 3,246

Entertainment: P

Hartlepool (4-4-2):

6 Flinders:  Left open and exposed for second goal, but did his best to hold Rose up. Good save to tip a Lowe finish onto the bar;

6 Duckworth: Got himself out of some tight situations with ability on the ball. Defended better this time than last Tuesday

7 AUSTIN: Pick of the Pools side, moved into his preferred role in the middle and read the game well while being switched on all day

4 Bates: Bailed out at times by Austin in the first half and his slack mistake for the second goal was not what you expect from him

5 Holden: Got forward plenty of times, but Pools were caught out on the break and twice conceded after he lost the ball up the field;

5 Parnaby: Had one shot saved, but is an advanced role on the right wing his best position? Surely there’s a role for him in the back four?

6 Miller: Always an option in midfield, looking for the ball but the strikers played in isolation to the midfield limiting options

7 Walker: Much improved. Went actively looking for the ball and tried to use it and be positive when he had it

5 Franks: Tried to get at the opposition, but didn’t create much when he had the ball as he was often crowded out;

4 Harewood: Wasted Pools’ best chance in the first half. Tried to put himself about at times, but he’s got to offer far more than what he does

6 James: Workrate, as ever, up there with the best of them and took his share of the physical strain. Picked the wrong option delivering into the area a couple of times.

Sub:

Brobbel (for Parnaby 72)

(not used): Dixon (gk), Collins, Woods, Hawkins, Richards, Smith.

Bury (3-5-2): Lainton 6; McNulty 7, Cameron 6 , Mills 7; Soares 6, Tutte 7, Adams 7 (Mayor 58, 5), ETUHU 8 (Sedgwick 71), Hussey 6; Lowe 7 (Rose 67, 7), Nardiello 7. Subs (not used): Jalal (gk), Thompson, Widdowson, Poole.

MAN OF THE MATCH

KELVIN Etuhu – sat in front of Bury’s back three and organised the game