A SUPERB last minute strike from Adam Boyd at Hull City last night ensured Hartlepool United did not go home pointless.
Pool, a goal down as early as the fifth minute when winger Ryan Williams scored, fully deserved to draw level after a battling and impressive second-half performance.
Boyd's goal came just as it seemed there was no way of breaking down the Tigers' backline and Pool's disappointing away form looked as though it was going to continue. The 19-year-old turned defender Mark Greaves, after a Paul Smith cross, and fired in an unstoppable right-foot shot to earn a draw for Chris Turner's men at Boothferry Park.
Turner must have feared the worst when it emerged referee Frazer Stretton was officiating the encounter. But Mr Stretton, who was the subject of an official complaint from Turner after last season's Rochdale clash, had a decent game and his decisions were correct throughout the night.
Pool boss Chris Turner had to make one change to the side which beat Scunthorpe seven days earlier, with injured Tommy Widdrington replaced in the line-up by Boyd.
The experienced midfielder has been instrumental for the visitors in recent months and Turner had to look for something different in the middle of the pitch from Humphreys, with Widdrington's simplicity on the ball missing.
And it did not take long for Hull to pose a threat when full-back Jason van Blerk found space outside the Pool box and he shot low into Anthony Williams' arms.
Top-scorer Gary Alexander then went close when his shot deflected wide off Graeme Lee, as the danger signs quickly set in.
And Hull, with only one defeat at Boothferry Park in 12 months, soon capitalised on their early attacking play by opening the scoring on five minutes.
Left-midfielder David Beresford ran down the wing and cut-inside before playing a delightful pass to Williams, who took a touch before shooting calmly beyond his namesake in the Pool goal.
Ironically, that strike led to Turner's side calming down and they had a few opportunities to quickly draw level.
First, Gordon Watson, who scored a hat-trick in Pool's 4-0 win over the Tigers in November, failed to turn in a Lee volley and then Boyd went close when he was unable to score after rounding keeper Paul Musselwhite following an incisive pass by teammate Mark Tinkler. After the break, Turner's men were the only side looking like scoring and Pool's top-scorer Watson went close again when he turned a superb Paul Smith cross against the woodwork.
Somehow all Pool's good work was not being rewarded with a goal and their unfortunate luck was again evident when a Smith corner rebounded off the crossbar and Hull cleared. And with time running out yet another dangerous cross from the former Burnley man was met by a Lee header from seven yards, which flew over the bar.
But then Boyd increased his already soaring value with a peach of a strike to level matters and earn Pool a share of the spoils.
Read more about Hartlepool here.
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