MATTHEW Bates admits he saw something from his Hartlepool United side which pleasantly surprised him last night.

Pools conceded a 90th minute leveller, as they drew 2-2 at the newly-named Super 6 Stadium.

And when Bates entered the dressing room he saw players upset, who cared that Pools had dropped points.

“I am disappointed with the outcome, sounds stupid to say but I went in after the game and I’ve never really seen the reaction like that – it was like we have been beaten,’’ he reflected.

“That’s good as we have players who are winners, who want to win games. It was a nice surprise really.

“It was tough to take at the end, but looking back it happens. We don’t want to concede late goals, we look at it, work on it and become a team resolute and resilient.

“I’m sure we will score goals late to earn points. I won’t allow the goal to take anything away from the performance.’’

Pools midfielder Michael Woods is set to move to MK Dons before tomorrow's 5pm transfer deadline. He was wanted by Dons' boss Paul Tisdale when he was in charge of Exeter last season, but Pools were not willing to sell him at the time. 

Under contract, Pools will get a fee for last season's top scorer. He was an unused substitute last night. 

Pools were sharp on the attack last night, and two of the front three - Niko Muir and Jake Cassidy scored their goals.

Bates added: “The front three were a threat all night. Luke didn’t score, but we know what he brings, he was outstanding in terms of workrate. Niko was pure class, his hold up play, technical side. For someone from lower leagues, going to work at 5am on a morning and them coming here to this kind of night shows what he’s about.

“Cass didn’t have a good goal return last season but we know what he brings and his performances in the first two games have been good.

“I hope the fans remember the 89 minutes if you like. We are all disappointed, manager, players, fans, staff. I hope they enjoyed what they saw.

Pools were on the front foot from the off, regularly spreading the ball wide to Peter Kitching, the left-sided wideman in a positive 3-4-3.

The first chances, three of them together, came on 16 minutes.

A low Carl Magnay shot was pushed aside by keeper James Belshaw. Luke James kept the ball alive, playing it across the penalty area and Cassidy’s shot was kept out by Belshaw’s legs.

Then James turned into space on the edge of the area, his angled drive cleared again by the keeper’s feet.

Referee Joseph Johnson was happy to let the intensity ride as he allowed play to carry on when many others would have stopped play constantly.

Harrogate, promoted from the National League North last season through the play-offs, were comfortable on the ball and asked questions of the Pools’ rearguard,  their two central midfielders were stand-out performers.

Ryan Donaldson broke from the edge of his own area, tearing away under pressure. He picked out Nicky Featherstone on the edge for the area and he picked his spot, but his first-time shot was pushed out again by Belshaw.

It made a change for an opposition goalkeeper to earn his pay along Clarence Road.

At the other end, Scott Loach was called into action for the first time. He pushed out a low George Thompson shot and then moved the loose ball away from Aaron Williams, before going down low to stop another Thompson strike.

In a copy of the move which brought Pools’ goal at the weekend, a cut-back from the left found its way to Noble and his sidefooted effort was on target, but blocked this time.

The lead soon followed.

James held off a pack of defenders, pushed the ball wide to the marauding Noble. He pulled the ball across the six-yard area and Muir nodded in from close range.

Eight minutes later and parity was restored. Emmett was gifted too much room on the right side of the penalty area and drove low for Dominic Knowles to tap in.

Then it was Pools’ turn again. Magnay clipped the ball over the high defensive back line for Cassidy to latch onto. He got into the area, and fired through the keeper.

They almost added a third, James charging forward from deep and firing across goal only for the chance to pinball off the legs of Cassidy and go wide.

Kitching had to be sharp at the far post to nod away under pressure. But from a perfect free-kick from the right, whipped in by Joe Leesley on 90 minutes, centre-half Callum Howe got on the end of it to nod in.

Davies still almost won it, his header nodded off the line.

Jeff Stelling, Pools vice president, was at Victoria Park to mark the club’s sponsorship deal with Super 6.

Victoria Park will be rebranded the Super 6 Stadium and the logo will appear on the back of the shirts.

Current sponsors Utility Alliance had reserved the naming rights, but have agreed to allow Super 6 to put their name to it.

Mark Maguire, Pools’ chief executive, said: “This is absolutely huge for the club; it’s been a really positive summer but to secure this deal elevates us commercially and will demonstrate our ability to deliver value to a multi-national company.

“Of course, a huge part of this has been the involvement of Jeff Stelling in the club. Jeff is held in such high esteem at Super 6 that they were keen to support him in the venture with his beloved Pools.’’