MATCH VERDICT: Hartlepool United 3-1 FC Halifax Town

Billy Chadwick had cancelled out Ryan Johnson's early opener, but there was no coming back from Rhys Oates' effort after half-time when Bell was shown a second yellow card, with substitute Mason Bloomfield adding the gloss late on.

It was another even contest in the second of the three festive games between the teams, but Halifax didn't reach the same attacking quality they had in their last two outings in a match where neither side were at their best, but Hartlepool just had that extra attacking edge.

Injuries to Neill Bryne (Achilles) and Jamie Allen (knee) necessitated changes for Town, with Neil Danns also dropping out, replaced by Martin Woods, Bell and Gevaro Nepomuceno.

Johnson put Hartlepool ahead with the first chance of the game from the first corner, but Town were behind for just six minutes.

Kieran Green supplied a perfectly-weighted through ball for Chadwick, who blasted in a low shot past keeper Ben Killip at his near post for his second goal in three games.

After a scrappy start, the game did begin to settle down, and Town came into it more, with Luke Summerfield and Woods getting on the ball and some decent link-up play from The Shaymen.

Bell was a handful for the Hartlepool back three, holding the ball up well, while Chadwick offered good movement on the right, drifting into space and trying to anticipate opportunities.

A dangerous cross by Jamie Sterry, who started for South Shields the last time Town were up in the north-east, was nearly turned in by two Hartlepool players in the box.

Bell fired just wide after somehow shaking off the clutches of a Hartlepool defender.

Hartlepool's distribution from the back was poor, with their front-two of Oates and Luke Armstrong badly lacking service.

Oates had got into some dangerous areas early in the game, but as the half went on, Hartlepool were too back-to-front, with Town having more possession in midfield.

Hartlepool made eight changes to the side that started at The Shay a week ago and did look better for them, certainly much stronger defensively.

Sterry was probably the hosts' best attacking outlet, delivering some good crosses from the right.

But The Shaymen worked hard defensively, leaving no gaps, doing their jobs and keeping Hartlepool at arm's length.

A long-range Tyler Magloire shot was saved at the second attempt by Sam Johnson shortly before the break, but neither side was really doing enough to carve the other open.

Halifax had shown good composure and control at times, especially when Summerfield was on the ball, again displaying his array of passes, awareness and vision.

The game continued to be cagey after the interval, with no flow to the game and not enough quality from either team.

But a fine through ball by Mark Shelton was raced onto by Oates, who beat Bradbury for pace and finished low across Johnson.

Summerfield curled a shot just wide in response for Town as the game started to open up, with Halifax leaving more gaps at the back pushing for a second equaliser.

Those hopes were dealt a blow when Bell was dismissed for a second booking with 20 minutes remaining for a strong challenge on Timi Odusina.

That blunted what attacking threat The Shaymen were offering, and made the task of a second equaliser so much more difficult.

Substitute Bloomfield then wrapped up the win with a drilled shot after controlling the ball superbly.

Hartlepool: Killip, Sterry, Johnson, Odusina, Ferguson (Bunney 28), Magliore, Shelton, Featherstone, Holohan, Oates (Bloomfield 84), Armstrong. Subs not used: Crawford, Grey, Donaldson.

Scorers: Johnson (7), Oates (57), Bloomfield (90)

Shots on target: 5

Shots off target: 2

Corners: 6

Halifax: Johnson, Maher, Bradbury, Williams, Summerfield, Green, Woods, Senior, Chadwick, Bell, Nepomuceno (Earing 79). Subs not used: Davison-Hale, Tear, Danns, Crane

Scorer: Chadwick (13)

Shots on target: 1

Shots off target: 10

Corners: 3

Referee: Andrew Kitching

Town man of the match: Luke Summerfield. The midfielder showed imagination and creativity as well as tenacity, the heartbeat of the team.