Oxford 2-0 Hartlepool Roofe sinks 'Pool

Kemar Roofe smashed his 26th goal of the season to help Oxford beat Hartlepool 2-0 and stay third in the scramble for an automatic-promotion place in Sky Bet League Two.

Roofe, who was this week named League Two player of the year, gave the U's just the start they wanted to ease their nerves by firing home first-time from 10 yards in the seventh minute when Liam Sercombe's drive came back off the bar.

And Sercombe sealed the points in the third minute of stoppage time by running past three defenders to slot in Oxford's second.

Danny Hylton, admittedly looking off-side, curled a right-footed shot just around the far post just after Roofe's opener.

Hartepool, unburdened by any pressures, ventured forward with freedom and Jake Gray went close with an angled shot well saved by Benji Buchel.

Hartlepool goalkeeper Trevor Carson also saved well with his legs from sub Callum O'Dowda.

But at the other end, as the visitors pressed for an equaliser, Buchel saved well when Nathan Thomas unleashed a fierce low left-footed shot from 25 yards, Matthew Bates flicked a header just wide at a free-kick, and Sercombe cleared off the line at a corner.

Two minutes from time Carson denied Chris Maguire with a superb one-handed save, but he couldn't stop Sercombe from sealing the win.