Pools were soundly beaten 4-1 at Bristol Rovers this afternoon - early goals in both halves sealing the victory for Paul Trollope's team.

But the main focus of today for Chris Turner's men was to avoid releagtion from League One and fortunately other results ensured our league standing.

 It was an absolute nightmare start to the game for Pools - with goal difference the key for Turner's men this afternoon, the early signs were not good.

With just five minutes on the clock, Pools were 2-0 down after a bright start from the hosts was met with a nervy approach from Turner's side.

Bristol Rovers went for Pools from the off and looked extremely lively going forward. It took them just four minutes to open the sscoring.

Good work down the right channel between David Pipe and Charlie Reece saw the ball pushed through for the latter to strike on goal. Jan Budtz blocked but Jo Kuffour reacted quickest and hit the loose ball over the outstretched keeper and into the back of the net.

Things instantly went from bad to worse for Pools when Rovers doubled their lead just one minute later.

Former Pools' loan man Darryl Duffy was played into the box by Stuart Campbell where he was allowed the space to fire on goal, clinically slotting the ball across Budtz and making it 2-0.

With goal difference looking to play a role in the situation at the bottom of League One, times were very nervy for Pools.

Rovers looked like scoring with almost every attack in this opening period, with Duffy, Reece and Kuffour brightest for the hosts.

Reece turned Joe Skarz in the right corner to lift a good ball into the box but Budtz was strong and snatched possession from Kuffour.

Michael Nelson got in a crucial block to deny Byron Anthony wih a turn and shot inside the box when the Rovers central defender looked sure to make it 3-0.

Chris Turner's side slowly edged their way back into proceedings - Andy Monkhouse challenging from a corner kick only to see the ball cleared wide.

Antony Sweeney dragged a low shot wide of target while at the other end Kuffour lifted an effort high over the bar.

Pools did get a goal back with 27 minutes on the clock - and it was a case of third time lucky for Daniel Nardiello.

A good run and pin-point cross from Matty Robson down the left picked out the on-loan striker inside the box. Nardiello saw his first shot crash against the bar and come back into play before seeing his follow-up effort blocked brilliantly by the defender.

However, Nardiello made sure with his next shot as he stroked it past Steve Phillips and into the back of the net to make it 2-1 and seemingly give Pools a foothold in proceedings.

The game settled into a more steady pace after the goal and Nardiello went close to drawing level when he got on the end of another Robson ball - this time though, his shot landed just on the roof of the net.

Pools did start to play some better football leading up to the break but there was no leveller and worse was to come in the second half.

If Rovers' start to the first half was impressive then their start to the second period really knocked Pools and with just three minutes of the second half having been played, Rovers moved into an astonishing 4-1 lead.

Pools were again caught napping when Darryl Duffy rolled the ball across the box for Rickie Lambert who hit it neatly first time into the bottom left corner of Budtz's net.

It was then a case of deja vu for the big keeper who had to pick the ball out of exactly the same spot just one minute later. Lambert this time turned provider, poking the ball between Nelson and Collins for Aaron Lescott who beat the offside trap to slot the ball home.

Lambert scraped the post with a well-taken free-kick as Pools looked to damage limitation more than anything else.

A shaky defensive performance from Pools allowed the hosts too much time on occasion but Jan Budtz remained relatively untested for the remainder of the half.

There were few chances at the other end for Pools - the introduction of Ritchie Humphreys into midfield did provide a bit of spark but there was still nothing to trouble Steve Phillips in the Bristol goal.

Nardiello should have done better with a chance late in the game but after wriggling his way past the home defence, Phillips did well to block his close-range effort and send it wide of the target.

With Pools' fans eyes having been on games taking place elsewhere in League One - and Leeds United beating Northampton Town to secure our status in the league - luckily the pressure was off for Turner's men.

The Cobblers finish a point below Pools to take up that final relegation spot.

A disappointing final day defeat for Pools was overshadowed by the relief at avoiding relegation - League One football for Pools again next term.

Att: 7,363 (457 Pools)

Pools: Budtz, Liddle, Nelson (Humphreys 69), Collins, Skarz, Jones (Rowell 78), Sweeney, Clark, Robson, Monkhouse, Nardiello
Subs Not Used: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Mackay

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