Pilgrims` progress halted by Pools

12 March 2011 18:30
Antony Sweeney scored his 50th goal for Hartlepool as they ended Plymouth's three-game winning streak with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Victoria Park. Sweeney, Pools` top scorer, netted his 13th of the season after 20 minutes to give the home side the lead. Ryan Donaldson, on loan from Newcastle, skipped through the home defence to tee-up the midfielder for a six-yard tap-in. Scott Flinders saved well from a Yannick Bolasie piledriver five minutes later, but visiting shots on target were scarce. Romain Larrieu reacted to kick away a goalbound effort from James Brown before half-time and Sam Collins headed wide from the corner. But Pools made the game safe in the 64th minute. A deep Leon McSweeney free-kick was headed back across goal for skipper Collins to bundle home from inside the six-yard area. Minutes later Collins made a vital block from a goalbound Bhasera shot. Substitute Colin Larkin should have scored a late third for Pools, but Larrieu kept out his effort.

Source: PA