Notts County v Hartlepool United: Player ratings and stats

Rhys Oates: Man of the match for Pools. Picture by Mark Fletcher, AH Pix )

Joe Fryer: Great first-half penalty save from Ameobi, but was upset not to keep out Shola's first County goal. Had little chance with Grant shot. 7

Nicky Featherstone: Is there anywhere the skipper can’t play? Could not stop Ameobi’s goal, but otherwise looked comfortable at the back. 6

Scott Harrison: Part of the new-look back three and was as strong as ever. 6

Liam Donnelly: One needless free-kick aside, played his full part in a good rearguard effort. 6

Kenton Richardson: Whatever he does, this young fella seems totally unflustered. Another good game. 6

Michael Woods: A little off-colour against Exeter, he looked more like his old self here, much better on the ball. 6

Lewis Alessandra: Continued his good form, bright in the middle, looking to play in team-mates and saw a decent chance of his own blocked. 6

Lewis Hawkins: Full of industry on his return to the starting XI, but made a ‘horlicks’ of a first-half corner, conceding a penalty. Subbed just before the hour. 5

Nathan Thomas: It would have been nice to see him getting at the defenders more, but had a decent game and his shot led to the Pools goal. 6

Padraig Amond: Good work by the keeper denied him late in half and put in his customary energetic display. 6

Rhys Oates: Revelled again in his role up front and carried much of the away threat, including setting up the Pools goal. 7 MOTM

SUB

Nicky Deverdics (for Hawkins 59):

Nice to see him back and it was a steady return, much of it though at left-back. 6

Unused subs: Adam Bartlett, James Martin, Josh Hawkes, Louis Rooney, Jake Orrell

Goal: Hollis OG 78

Booked: Hawkins 28, Harrison 81

Notts Co:Collin, Hewitt, Duffy, Hollis, Bola, Grant (A Campbell 90), Tootle, Millsom, Yeates (Smith 86), Ameobi, Forte (T Campbell 71)

Unused subs:Loach (gk), Dickinson, Clackstone, Hawes

Goals:Ameobi 47, Grant 71

Referee: Darren Deadman: Handled the contest well. 7

Attendance 8,653 (away 427)