Bristol Rovers scored four times at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon to sign off the 2008/09 season in style.

Two goals early in each half saw Rovers thrash Hartlepool United 4-1.

The score line sees Rovers finish in 11th place, and results elsewhere means that Hartlepool will continue to play League One football next season.

Paul Trollope made two changes to the side that lost to Swindon last Saturday, with Charlie Reece making his league debut.

Darryl Duffy also returned to the team, with Jeff Hughes sidelined through injury and Craig Disley settling for a place on the bench.

Bristol Rovers exploded out of the blocks in the first half and were two goals up within six minutes.

Man of the Match Reece was involved in the build up to the first goal, which ended when Chris Lines attempt on goal was fired into the net by Jo Kuffour.

Rovers fans had barely had time to finish celebrating when the ball was in the back of the Hartlepool net once again.

This time Rickie Lambert linked up well with Darryl Duffy, whose low shot was too much for keeper Jan Budtz.

Budtz was then called into action again, but this time he was able to save an effort from Jo Kuffour.

It took Hartlepool a while to get over the shock, but after 25 minutes they had their first attempt on goal, with Anthony Sweeny putting the ball well wide.

But the Monkey Hangers were not going to go down without a fight, and a few minutes later they pulled one back.

On loan Blackpool striker Daniel Nardiello took a few attempts, but he eventually found the back of the net. His initial shot hit the underside of the bar, before the rebound was saved by Steve Phillips.

But Nardiello stayed calm and fired home the loose ball to close the gap.

Nardiello then had a chance to level things for Hartlepool but his shot was deflected over the bar.

Rovers fans could have been forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu when the second half started with another two goals.

There was less than a minute on the clock for the second half when Rickie Lambert fired in his 29th league goal of the campaign with his left foot.

And just minutes later, goal machine Aaron Lescott was on target for this third goal of the season.

Hartlepool attempted to get back in the game but rarely tested Steve Phillips in goal.

Rickie Lambert was looking for goal number 30, but unfortunately it never came.

After the game the players came back out into the sunshine for a lap of honour after the final whistle and were greeted to a warm reception before the fans drifted away for the summer.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Pipe(Disley 59), Anthony, Elliott, Lescott, Reece(Rigg 76), Campbell, Lines, Duffy, Lambert, Kuffour(Hunt 69).

Subs: St. Louis Hamilton, Kite.

Hartlepool: Budtz, Liddle, Nelson(Humphreys 69), Collins, Skarz, Jones(Rowell 78), Clark, Sweeney, Monkhouse, Robson, Nardiello.

Subs: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Mackay.

Referee: Grant Hegley.