Oxford United 1-0 Hartlepool United

Oxford United beat fellow promotion-hopefuls Hartlepool to strengthen their grip on a League Two play-off place.

Jack Barmby had chances at both the start and end of the first half for Hartlepool, but saw his first effort go wide before Ryan Clarke saved well.

Simon Walton was sent off for his second yellow card and the hosts took advantage within two minutes.

David Connolly's header from David Hunt's free-kick helped the U's close the gap on third place to six points.

Sixth-placed Oxford are now six points clear of eighth-placed Southend, who were held to a goalless draw by struggling Bristol Rovers.

Oxford's victory could be Mickey Lewis's last match as caretaker manager, with chairman Ian Lenagan announcing before kick-off that a new manager should be appointed over the weekend.

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Oxford Utd

• 1Clarke
• 34Bevans
• 13Hunt
• 16Whing
• 30Long
• 6Wright
• 15WilliamsSubstituted forPotterat 37'minutes
• 37Ruffels
• 9ConstableSubstituted forSmalleyat 90+3'minutes
• 24Connolly
• 7Rigg

Substitutes

• 10Smalley
• 11Potter
• 17Rose
• 18Davies
• 21Crocombe
• 22Wroe
• 35O'Dowda

Hartlepool

• 1Flinders
• 19RichardsBooked at 62mins
• 22HoldenSubstituted forPooleat 86'minutes
• 14ComptonSubstituted forSweeneyat 78'minutes
• 5Collins
• 35Burgess
• 8WaltonBooked at 75mins
• 38Walker
• 33James
• 9Harewood
• 12BarmbySubstituted forFranksat 84'minutes

Substitutes

• 7Franks
• 10Poole
• 13Rafferty
• 15Sweeney
• 16Rowbotham
• 21Duckworth
• 28Hawkins

Referee:

Andy Davies

Attendance:

4,954

Match Stats

Home TeamOxford UtdAway TeamHartlepool

Possession

Home54%

Away46%

Shots

Home10

Away9

Shots on Target

Home4

Away3

Corners

Home9

Away9

Fouls

Home6

Away17

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Oxford United 1, Hartlepool United 0.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+5'

Second Half ends, Oxford United 1, Hartlepool United 0.

Posted at 90'+5'

Attempt saved. Antony Sweeney (Hartlepool United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Posted at 90'+4'

Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Jordan Richards.

Posted at 90'+4'

Attempt missed. Luke James (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left from a direct free kick.

Substitution

Posted at 90'+3'

Substitution, Oxford United. Dean Smalley replaces James Constable.

Posted at 90'+2'

Foul by James Constable (Oxford United).

Posted at 90'+2'

Antony Sweeney (Hartlepool United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 90'+2'

(Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 90'+2'

Foul by Marlon Harewood (Hartlepool United).

Posted at 90'+1'

Corner, Hartlepool United. Conceded by Andrew Whing.

Posted at 90'+1'

Attempt blocked. Luke James (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Posted at 90'

Attempt missed. Alfie Potter (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.

Substitution

Posted at 86'

Substitution, Hartlepool United. James Poole replaces Darren Holden.

Posted at 85'

(Hartlepool United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 85'

Foul by Sam Long (Oxford United).

Posted at 85'

Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Brad Walker.

Posted at 84'

Attempt missed. Andrew Whing (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.

Substitution

Posted at 84'

Substitution, Hartlepool United. Jonathan Franks replaces Jack Barmby.

Posted at 83'

Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Darren Holden.

Posted at 83'

Attempt saved. James Constable (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

Substitution

Posted at 78'

Substitution, Hartlepool United. Antony Sweeney replaces Jack Compton.

Goal!

Posted at 78'

Goal! Oxford United 1, Hartlepool United 0. David Connolly (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Hunt.

Posted at 77'

Sean Rigg (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 77'

Foul by Jack Compton (Hartlepool United).

Dismissal

Posted at 75'

Second yellow card to Simon Walton (Hartlepool United).

Posted at 75'

Sean Rigg (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 75'

Foul by Simon Walton (Hartlepool United).

Posted at 72'

Attempt saved. Josh Ruffels (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Posted at 71'

Andrew Whing (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 71'

Foul by Jack Barmby (Hartlepool United).

Posted at 70'

Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Darren Holden.

Posted at 69'

James Constable (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 69'

Foul by Christian Burgess (Hartlepool United).

Posted at 69'

Attempt saved. Jack Barmby (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Posted at 66'

Alfie Potter (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 66'

Foul by Marlon Harewood (Hartlepool United).

Booking

Posted at 65'

Simon Walton (Hartlepool United) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 65'

Sean Rigg (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 65'

Foul by Simon Walton (Hartlepool United).

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