Match ends, Oxford United 1, Hartlepool United 0.
Oxford UtdOxford United1HartlepoolHartlepool United0
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
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-4-2
- 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
Formation 4-4-2
- 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
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Oxford United 1, Hartlepool United 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Antony Sweeney (Hartlepool United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Jordan Richards.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke James (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Dean Smalley replaces James Constable.
Post update
Foul by James Constable (Oxford United).
Post update
Antony Sweeney (Hartlepool United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
(Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Marlon Harewood (Hartlepool United).
Post update
Corner, Hartlepool United. Conceded by Andrew Whing.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Luke James (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alfie Potter (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Hartlepool United. James Poole replaces Darren Holden.
Post update
(Hartlepool United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Sam Long (Oxford United).
Post update
Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Brad Walker.
Post update
Attempt missed. Andrew Whing (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Hartlepool United. Jonathan Franks replaces Jack Barmby.
Post update
Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Darren Holden.
