There were to be no cup heroics for Pools in the third round this year as they were soundly beaten by their Championship opposition.
Euan Murray gave the Potters the early lead when diverting into his own net from Josh Tymon’s cross before Jacob Brown capitalised on some slack defending two minutes before half-time to double the lead for Stoke. Brown latched on to Tymon’s pass ahead of Ben Killip to convert well.
And Alex Neil’s side made it 3-0 soon after the restart when Harrison Clarke got forward well to cross from the right where, this time, Rollin Menayese would turn into his own net when slicing in front of Liam Delap.
Hartlepool’s afternoon was compounded when striker Josh Umerah went off injured as Pools exited the FA Cup.
And here is how Pools were rated in their 3-0 defeat.
And Alex Neil’s side made it 3-0 soon after the restart when Harrison Clarke got forward well to cross from the right where, this time, Rollin Menayese would turn into his own net when slicing in front of Liam Delap.