Match report: Wimbledon 2 Hartlepool United 0

It was an abject display by Pools who were sunk by goals by Callum Kennedy (18) and Lyle Taylor (28).

Pools barely got a touch in the first 45 minutes which will go down as one of the worst of the season.

It was better in the second half with a few near misses but the Wombles were worthy winners.

Wimbledon:Wilson, Fuller, Robinson, Osborne, Meades, Francomb, Bulman, Reeves (Toonga 90), Kennedy, Taylor (Elliott 83), Azeez (Akinfenwa 60).

Unused Subs: McDonnell,Sweeney, Gallagher, Kaja

Goals: Kennedy 18, Taylor 28

Pools: Carson, Duckworth, Bates, Okuonghae (Oyenuga 37), Jones, Oates, Featherstone, Woods, Carroll, Paynter (Banton 87), Bingham (Fenwick 67)

Unused Subs: Bartlett, Walker, Smith, Nelson-Addy

Goal:

Booked: Carroll 24, Fenwick 85

Referee: Lee Collins

Attendance:3,638 (away 255)

The Wombles had the better of the play, Trevor Carson holding a dangerous free-kick swung in by George Francomb.

Wimbledon went in front in the 18th minute with a carbon-copy goal of the one which Pools opened the scoring with at Yeovil.

KENNEDY put in a superb left-footed free-kick fropm wide on the right. No-one got a touch and the ball bounced off the ground into the right-hand of Carson’s net/.

Ten minutes later, it was two. Pools made a real hash of clearing in their own box, but TAYLOR did not hesitate, his right-foot volley flying in off Carson’s right-hand post.

Pools only attempt on goal saw Michael Woods have a strong shot from outsdide the box saved comfortably by Ben Wilson.

It got even worse for Pools when Magnus Okuonghae limped off in the 37th minute.

With no defender on the bench, Ronnie Moore brought on Kudus Oyenuga on the left, with Jake Carroll moving back to left-back and Dan Jones filling in at centre-half.

Half-time:

Wimbledon 2

Pool 0

Pools at least had a corner to celebrate early in the second half but Wilson got his glove to it and the Wombles cleared.

But Wimbledon were soon back on top and it took a great 53rd-minute save by Carson low down to his right to keep out Ade Azeez shot.

Pools were almost gifted a way back into the game due to a misunderstanding at the back but Woods and Bingham could not take advantage.

Wimbledon almost rubbed salt in the wounds when Azeez almost got in at the other end.

Carson was earning his pay, making a good save from a Jon Meades header and keeping out a deflected Jake Reeves shot.

Moore made his second change in the 67th minute, bringing on Scott Fenwick for Bingham.

Pools were grateful to the post and Carson for not going three down in the 74th minute.

Referee Collins awarded the Dons a soft penalty when Oyenuga challenged Taylor.

Taylor picked himself up and beat Carson from the spot only to see his effort from 12 yards hit the post. Bulman was first to the rebound but Carson pulled off an amazing save.

The Wombles thought they had number three from the corner when Akinfenwa headed in but the ref ruled the home sub had pushed the defender.

It was now end to end stuff, Robinson heading out a Pools cross for a corner.

Fenwick saw a header clawed out by Elliott for a corner before Oyenuga had an overhead kick just clear the bar.

Full-time:

WIMBLEDON 2

HARTLEPOOL UTD 0