Hartlepool United got their Christmas present early as they waltzed past Stockport 4-0 at Victoria Park.
Pools started the game strongly with a flourish of attacks and the opening goal came just after six minutes. Rhys Oates picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and drove towards the box before unleashing a shot with his left foot into the bottom corner of the goal.
On 15 minutes it got even worse for Stockport as a high footed challenge from Palmer on Armstrong resulted in the referee pulling out the red card and reducing The Hatters to ten.
With the extra man Pools dominated the rest of the first half.
Featherstone was given the space to try and pass through the resilient Stockport defence and on 42 minutes he nearly influenced a second for Pools. A ball into the box was pinballed around until Armstrong got his toe on the end of it but could only poke wide.
The second half saw the ten men of Stockport become more attacking as they searched an equaliser at The Vic. However, it wasn't long before Hartlepool continued their dominance of possession.
On just 46 minutes Pools doubled their lead. The corner ball from Ferguson resulted in a scramble of bodies in the box but Ryan Johnson was able to get his foot in the way and slot it home for Pools to make it 2-0.
Hartlepool came out the blocks flying in the second half as just five minutes later they found a third. Shelton drove towards the heart of the defence, he played the ball wide to Holohan who shot was deflected right into the path of Armstrong who was in the right place at the right time to tap in from 5 yards.
The action of the game didn't stop there as on 55 minutes there was a second sending off for Stockport. John Rooney had words with the linesman and after a stoppage in the game, he was given his marching orders by the referee.
Pools kept the majority of the possession against the nine men and were rewarded with the fourth right before the final whistle. It was Crawfords initial shot that was blocked and Armstrong once again in the right position to slot the ball home.
SUBS: Crawford for Holohan 56', Joe Grey for Rhys Oates 69', Ryan Donaldson for Jamie Sterry 75'
Yellow: Gavan Holohan 35'