Player ratings: Heroic Hartlepool performances but who scooped man of match award?

Billy Paynter and Nathan Thomas were the goalscoring heroes, but it was a day of excellent performances all-round.

Who wins the man of the match award? Roy Kelly gives his verdict.

Trevor Carson: Northern Ireland did not need him and he was flawless in his grey Pools jersey, Made a world-class save to his right to deny Binnom-Williams late on. 8

Carl Magnay: In his best run of form since his early-season days in midfield. Excellent in defence. 8

Matthew Bates: Aside from being beaten once by Ollie Palmer, he never put a foot or head wrong. Magnificent. 8

Adam Jackson: Another man-of-the-match display from the young centre-half. Won everything and had another chance of scoring. 9

Jake Carroll: Been superb almost all the way through 2016 and shone again in both halves of the field. Set up the opener with great ball. 8

Nicky Featherstone: A rival for man of the match. Gave O’s an early chance but after that faultless. 8

Lewis Hawkins: Only a stunning save by Alex Cisak denied him another wondergoal and had an assist for Nathan Thomas goal. 8

Jake Gray: Good in the middle before making way for Brad Walker late on. 7

Luke James: Tremendous shift again, first on the right of Paynter and then the left. Had a hand in the opener and put header just over. 7

Billy Paynter: Terrific again. Was denied a 44th-minute ‘goal’ by an offside flag but was in the right place to put away Carroll’s cross for the opener. 8

Nathan Thomas; Supplied a gem of a cross for Paynter’s ‘goal’ and skinned Frazer Shaw before lashing home his second goal for Pools. 8

Subs:

Michael Woods (for Hawkins 76): Should have made it 3-0 at the death but played his part. 6

Brad Walker (for Gray 82): Put Woods through. Good late cameo. N/A

Rakish Bingham (for James 87): N/A

Unused Subs: Bartlett, Richards, R Jones, Oates

Goals: Paynter 49, Thomas 69

Booked: Featherstone 51

Leyton Orient: Cisak, Clohessy, Hunt, Ramage, Brisley, Binnom-Williams, Atangana, Payne (James 75), Nolan (Shaw 61), Palmer, Gnanduillet (Turgott 61), Simpson

Unused subs:Pollock, Gregory, Koroma, Moore

Referee: Fred Graham 7

Att: 5,543 (away 359)