Full-time: Bristol Rovers 4 Hartlepool United 1: Two early goals in each half ensured Bristol Rovers rounded off their season in style with a convincing home win over Hartlepool United.

Luckily for the visitors, results elsewhere meant they survived to play another season in League One as Northampton and Crewe slipped through the relegation trapdoor on the final afternoon.

Bristol Rovers made two changes from the side that had started the 2-1 defeat at Swindon Town a week earlier, handing 20-year-old Charlie Reece his first start.

Though the youngster is left-sided, he began on the right of midfield with Duffy recalled on the left.

The home side made a pulsating start with Reece playing a part in the build-up that led to the opening goal in only the third minute. His pass forward was chased down by the overlapping David Pipe and the ball eventually found Chris Lines, whose pull-back was fired home by Jo Kuffour for his 12th goal of the season.

Two minutes later, the Pirates doubled their lead as Rickie Lambert's pass fed Darryl Duffy, whose low shot from 14 yards beat keeper Jan Budtz to his left.

Budtz had to dive to his right to steer away another strike from Kuffour in the 14th minute as the home side threatened to put the Monkey Hangers to the sword during the early stages.

Even central defender Byron Anthony almost got in on the scoring act in the 23rd minute from a Stuart Campbell corner, but Michael Nelson got in a crucial block as the Welshman let fly from 10 yards.

It was 25 minutes before the visitors managed an attempt, but Andy Monkhouse's header to Anthony Sweeney produced a left-foot shot which rolled well wide of goal.

Two minutes later, however, Pools pulled a goal back after Nardiello struck at the third attempt.

His initial shot come back off the underside of the bar before Steve Phillips made a save to deny him from the rebound. But as the ball broke lose, the on-loan Blackpool striker finally fired home from close range to put the visitors back in the game.

Duffy should have re-established Rovers' two-goal cushion in the 32nd minute but fired over the bar after being fed by Kuffour.

Then Nardiello had a chance to put Pools back on level terms but saw his shot deflected over the top.

The second half was less than a minute old when Rickie Lambert fired home his 29th goal of the campaign to re-establish the Pirates' two-goal cushion.

And, shortly afterwards, the Scouse hitman turned provider to set Aaron Lescott up for his third goal of the campaign.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Phillips, Pipe (Disley 59), Anthony, Elliott, Lescott, Reece (Rigg 76), Campbell, Lines, Duffy; Lambert, Kuffour (Hunt 69). Subs (not used): Kite, St Louis-Hamilton.

Hartlepool United: Budtz, Liddle, Nelson (Humphreys 69), Collins, Skarz, Jones (Rowell 78) , Sweeney, Clark, Robson, Monkhouse, Nardiello. Subs (not used): McCunnie, Mackay, Lee-Barrett.

Referee: Grant Hegley (Herts).

Attendance: 7,363.