Bristol Rovers not only ended the season in style, but also handed a first start to one of their potential stars of the future – and youngster Charlie Reece did not disappoint.

The 20-year-old midfielder has now played in two games, during which time the Pirates have banged in seven goals.

His debut was little more than a cameo, after coming off the bench in the 89th-minute of last season's 3-0 win over Carlisle at the Memorial Stadium.

This time Gasheads saw him in action for 77 minutes, and the ovation he received from the crowd when he made his exit spoke volumes.

Reece, operating wide on the right, put in a performance that suggested he possesses a maturity beyond his tender years, allied with pace, talent and determination.

"Charlie has trained very well and looks like he is getting near the level we need, both technically and physically. He can be proud of his first start," said Pirates coach Paul Trollope.

"He was running out of legs towards the end, but he had a hand in our first two goals and has done himself a lot of good in terms of next season with that performance.

"He prefers a central midfield position because that is where he has played most of his football, but he has the ability and energy to play on the outside as well.

"He is a thinker and he appreciates aspects of the game that some young players don't."

Reece played his part in ensuring that Rovers got off to a flying start as they opened up a two-goal advantage inside the first five minutes.

He was involved in the build-up for the opening goal, which saw Jo Kuffour firing home after Chris Lines had capitalised on good work by David Pipe.

Moments later, with the Pools defence still in disarray, Rickie Lambert fed Darryl Duffy, whose low shot from 14 yards beat keeper Jan Budtz to his left.

At that point, a massacre looked on the cards as soon after Kuffour let fly again, only for Budtz to deny him, before Michael Nelson got in a vital block to prevent Byron Anthony scoring from a corner.

But, gradually, the visitors started to get at least a foothold in the game and they hit back after 25 minutes. Danny Nardiello first hit the bar and then saw keeper Steve Phillips save his strike from the rebound. But he was not to be denied at the third attempt and rammed the ball home from close range. Rovers had a chance to re-establish their two-goal lead just after the half-hour, only for Duffy to fire over the top from 14 yards after being set up by Kuffour.

Ultimately, Hartlepool's fate was to be decided by results elsewhere – which was just as well, given the fact Rovers were to open the second half in the same devastating manner they had the first.

Less than a minute after the re-start, Chris Lines stepped over Duffy's pass across the box and allowed Rickie Lambert to fire home his 29th goal of the campaign.

And moments later, the Scouser was underlining his talents as a provider too with a wonderful pass which allowed Aaron Lescott to claim his third of the season – and his Bristol Rovers career.

Swindon's Simon Cox may be sharing League One's golden boot award with the Rovers' marksman, but if assists counted as a tie-breaker then Lambert would probably have won it by a distance.

"I knew I'd have to score at least one goal because Cox has been on fire," said Lambert. "I'm not surprised he scored two and I don't mind sharing it with someone like him, because he's a really good player.

"To finish as joint-top goalscorer is the biggest achievement of my career and something every striker wants. It's brilliant.

"I've loved every minute of this season and I owe a big 'thank you' to the rest of the lads because they have been absolutely superb."

The last player to leave the pitch, Lambert was hailed as a hero by the fans who remained to pay tribute at the end.

While Bristol Rovers may have no tangible reward for their efforts over the campaign, they can at least point to an improved goalscoring record and points haul.

That can not be said for Hartlepool, who fashioned a few second-half chances but rarely looked like getting back into the game. Their manager Chris Turner acknowledged a major rebuilding exercise is needed over the summer.

"Fortunately, we've just done enough to survive," he said. "But we are not good enough to be any higher – the table doesn't lie. There have to be a lot of changes, because we need to strengthen."