Hartlepool coasted to a comfortable win to extend their unbeaten run to 23 games and, overnight at least, their lead at the top of League Two to eight points.
They were in command for most of the game after taking an early lead, and coasted in at the end after Chester had skipper Phil Bolland sent off for a second yellow card 20 minutes from the end.
Richie Barker gave the home team the lead on three minutes, his looping header going into the corner of the net after a free-kick from Richie Humphreys.
But Chester battled to come back, and they might have at least levelled the score with some good chances. But Sean Hessey fired wide from 20 yards and Paul Linwood had a header cleared off the home line, before home keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos saved well from Dean Bennett and Chris Holroyd.
And Pools made the visitors pay the penalty by doubling their lead on 26 minutes, Barker heading on a cross from the right for the unmarked Andy Monkhouse to blast his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Chester held out well early in the second half, but chances were rare and the game was safe for Hartlepool in the space of a minute when Chester went down to ten men and conceded a third.
On 70 minutes City skipper Bolland was sent off for a second yellow card, his first arriving just eight minutes earlier.
From the free-kick Bolland conceded, Pools grabbed their third, Michael Nelson heading on for defensive partner Ben Clark to head powerfully into the roof of the net from close-range.
The game ended quietly as Hartlepool played keep-ball to conserve their energy for the last six games of the season. |
