What have Hartlepool United done to Andy Collett in a previous life? On Saturday - and not for the first time - he made them pay for it.

Darlington's goalkeeper confirmed his reputation as the best in the division with an inspiring display, which earned a draw in a pulsating derby, the last to be played at Feethams.

Pool must be thanking their lucky stars that there aren't many more like Collett in Division Three.

Perhaps Pool's lead at the top, which was cut to 12 points, would be less emphatic if every club had a Collett in their team.

It's safe to say Pool will be glad to see the back of him when they are promoted as the former Middlesbrough man added another chapter to his impressive record against Quakers' fierce rivals.

In previous encounters, with the exception of September's 4-1 demolition at Victoria Park, Pool have found Collett in irrepressible form.

Last season Quakers had their keeper largely to thank after his heroics helped claim a 2-1 win at Victoria Park and he was equally as impressive in a 1-1 draw at Feethams two years ago.

Mike Newell's side arrived at Feethams on the back of a ten-match unbeaten run, which during the first half was put under serious threat by a boisterous Quakers side in no mood to dilly and dally after their last meeting.

Caretaker boss Mick Tait was full of praise for his side, who played had to play with ten men after defender Ryan Valentine was dismissed in the 56th minute for a second bookable offence.

"We certainly didn't want a repeat of the game in September and I thought the lads showed plenty of passion and commitment," said Tait.

"It's disappointing when you lose a man in this kind of game because I thought we were on top before he was sent off.

"I thought we battled really well with ten men. If we can show the same kind of commitment I'm sure we can go on and get some more wins."

Neither side could be questioned in the commitment stakes and an explosive second half challenge - which was fair - between Craig Liddle and Mark Robinson epitomised a fierce contest between two sides in need of points for very different reasons.

The thud as the pair slid in on each other is still probably ringing around Feethams.

While Pool close in on the title, Quakers remain seven points clear of the relegation zone after their 16th draw of the season.

Danny Mellanby, making his first League start of the season, came within inches of putting his side a goal up inside two minutes when he flashed wide with only Anthony Williams to beat.

In a typically frantic opening both sides refused to give an inch, and Clark Keltie received a harsh introduction to his first derby match.

He felt the full brunt of a Tommy Widdrington challenge which earned the Newcastle-born midfielder a quick ticking- off from referee Mike Ryan.

Moments later the Lancashire official produced his 98th yellow card of the season when Valentine slid through Darrell Clarke in the 11th minute.

There were appeals for a penalty seconds later when Eifion Williams was barged off the ball by Gary Pearson, but the challenge was deemed fair by the referee - the first of a number of questoinable decisions.

Williams was called into action for the first time in the Pool goal when he saved with his legs from Barry Conlon.

At the other end Ritchie Humphreys overpowered Pearson to head just over from Mark Tinkler's cross.

With chances beginning to open up for both sides it seemed only a matter of time before the game produced its first goal.

And in the 36th minute the unmarked Conlon rose to head home Valentine's free-kick from the left for his 11th League goal of the season.

Matt Clarke earned the free-kick, tumbling to the ground under the slightest of challenges from Chris Westwood. In some sports a tumble of that nature earns marks for artistic impression.

Quakers were left kicking themselves three minutes into the second half when they conceded a needless penalty.

After a scrap in the box Collett eventually fisted clear the danger only for the referee to point to the spot after an off-the-ball incident saw defender Matt Clarke push Williams on the goal line.

Adam Boyd stepped up and made no mistake with a confident finish into the bottom corner.

After a first-half shaded by the home side it was Pool who began to take a hold of the game in the second period.

No sooner had Boyd equalised than Pool were 2-1 up with the goal of the game.

Tinkler's glorious searching ball from the left was only going to find one man and that was Darrell Clarke, who darted across Valentine to direct a superb header past Collett.

Valentine's sending-off for a second bookable offence further added to Quakers' woes in the 56th minute.

But just when Pool looked like taking control of the game Quakers drew level.

Tait introduced Richard Hodgson on the hour mark and it was his free-kick from the left - his first touch - which found skipper Liddle, who headed home the equaliser.

Pool will be fuming at the manner in which they conceded the goals.

With a trip to long-ball specialists Lincoln to come tomorrow night, errors of that nature must be wiped out.

Neither side looked content with settling for a point as the game continued at a furious pace.

However, it was the visitors who looked the more threatening going forward in the closing stages and only the agility and class of Collett denied Pool.

Tinkler saw his 25-yard effort, destined for the bottom corner, tipped round the post, and Darrell Clarke will be wondering how he didn't claim his second goal when Collett saved from close range after he cut inside the six-yard box.

Eifion Williams, also denied by Collett's late heroics, may have nicked it at the death when he glanced a header wide.

But battling Quakers hung on to the relief of the home crowd, who greeted the final whistle with cheers as pride was restored.

Result: Darlington 2 Hartlepool United 2.

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