Burton Albion 4-0 Hartlepool United

Burton's Alex MacDonald has seven goals for the Brewers this season

Managerless Hartlepool were left six points adrift at the bottom of League Two after a heavy defeat at Burton.

The visitors, who sacked boss Paul Murray following their FA Cup exit to non-league Blyth Spartans, fell behind to Alex MacDonald's angled shot.

Jacob Blyth set up MacDonald to double the lead from eight yards a minute after the break and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff's header made it three.

Stuart Beavon netted a fourth from 12 yards to send Burton up to second.

Burton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink told BBC Radio Derby:

"You have to give Hartlepool credit. They came here organised and made things difficult for us. They gave nothing away and it was important for us not to be on the back foot. The tempo was not high enough, but I must say, we didn't get in trouble.

"We had the better of the play in the first half, but our purpose needed to be higher.

"We took that on board in the second half and we scored at a beautiful time. To go in like that helps and in the second half we were always in control."