FOR Scott Flinders, Saturday was all about timing.

First up, the timing of his dive that allowed a trundler from Donal McDermott to slip through his grasp.Secondly, the injury-time minute foray forward. Third came the timely leap on 93 minutes and 13 seconds to meet Fabian Yantorno's corner and plant an outrageous header into the net for an injury time leveller.

And it all came on the day his fiancee, Kate, was due to give birth to the couples first child. It turned into some time for the 24-year-old. Goalkeepers dont score very often, and you dont become a parent every day of your life.

And the goal brought some redemption after he was badly at fault for the visitors second goal towards the end of a disappointing first-half for player and team-mates.

"This could be one of the best weekends of my life, scoring on the due date of our first child," he reflected.

"The baby arriving would be a nice top off, fingers crossed. She was at home with her feet on the settee I looked at my phone straight afterwards, ten messages and missed calls and not one from the missus.

"I said she will see the score and think its a typing error an own goal after this performance."

Recalling his moment of glory, he said: "I looked across to the bench and I know we had a similar sort of situation when we played at MK Dons on Sky.

"We were losing 1-0 and I remember Mick (Wadsworth) looking over to me saying get yourself up but I sort of bottled it in that game.

"Mick looked across, get yourself up, and I couldnt have done any worse than I had done.

"A great ball by Fab and I was up, sort of getting a decent header on it.

"When it went in, I was more embarrassed more than anything. I had my worst game of the season and to top it off with a goal, it's from zero to hero I suppose."

It was the first time a Pools goalkeeper has scored from open play in a game. Brian Horne smashed home a penalty in a League Cup shoot-out with Scarborough in 1995, while Kenny Simpkins scored in 1967 but the goalkeeper actually started the game at Port Vale as a striker.

Flinders goal didnt stop Bournemouth making the play-offs, Orients home thumping by Tranmere ensured a top six spot for the visitors.

They coasted to a two-goal advantage, as Pools failed to perform in the first period.Flinders hacked clearance went straight to Danny Ings, but his 40 yard effort sailed wide.

Then Steve Lovell took a pass beyond the defence and slipped his shot low across and beyond Flinders and the covering Neil Austin.

If that was disappointing for the keeper, the second was simply awful. McDermotts low drive was covered by Flinders, who allowed the ball to squirm from his grasp into the net.

The Town End sighed collectively. Minutes later Flinders uneasily scrambled the ball away after he was lobbed by Danny Ings.

Pools were flat in the first half as they were outran and outplayed by the visitors.

But they were a different proposition in the second period as they got on the front foot to press the Cherries back. It could be said they picked them off.

Leon McSweeney was held back and pulled when Evan Horwood crossed, and from the penalty spot Adam Boyd netted.Bournemouth then hit the post from a Liam Feeney cross, Lovell headed the rebound against the bar, Flinders saved the follow up.

Pools had three decent openings to level. In the end, their goalkeeper showed the way.

"Ive never scored, never," he confessed.

"I was always put in goal, I was that rubbish and thats where I started off. I'm not one who fancies himself as a forward, Ive always been in goal.

"A few of the lads have said I can go up for all the set-pieces now, not sure what Mick thinks of it! I'll stick to being the dependable and consistent Scott Flinders."

Nine times out of ten, those characteristics epitomise the goalkeeper. First-half on Saturday, however, it was a different story.

And he wasnt going to hide from the fact his goal proved some sort of redemption.

"I'd had a poor game, I didn't feel anything when I went up, he admitted. I went past Aussie on the halfway line and he said get up there.

"I came in and I thought it was a great opportunity.

To be honest, we've been working on different scenarios in training with Gary Walsh (goalkeeping coach). Sometimes you are used as an outfield player, so we have been working on headers in goalkeeping situations, so I've been getting a bit of practice with Walshy.

"I was bitterly disappointed with the goals I conceded, I had an awful game. Football is fickle, and I will go and work on the negatives, but I'll enjoy the moment.

The reaction from the players to me was a nice touch, when all the lads dived on me you do get a bit emotional and its nice to have their support as well."