Well that first half performance today was excellent,the second like the curates egg - good in places.

Back four were very solid in the first half and down the right Holdsworth + Brandon shone.Two Clarkes were very good as well,though I thought we missed Mac Intosh's height and organisation in the second half,particularly when we kept sitting deep.

Pav and GTF worked their socks off,Pav was on his knees near the end and should have been taken off + fresh legs brought on.I thought they linked together very well.

Brandon was mom for me though as a result of all the work he did throughout.He was still running his socks off at the end.Did anyone find out the problem with his contract + why he hadn't signed it?

Carss brought some stability and shape back to midfield when he came on - thought that was a good substitution.

Boyds goal was a cracker - you knew it was in when he hit it,thank god him/Bullock weren't playing in the first half - any idea why they weren't?

All in all,a good 2 points today.Hartlepool won't be far away come May time on the second half performance,so it's nice to get them while they still have the playoff final hangover.

By Richard Skowron from the HTFC mailing list.