HARTLEPOOL UNITED took a point from their first game under new boss Ronnie Moore.

Appointed in midweek as new owners TMD took control from IOR, the manager saw his side take a second-half lead and then concede 12 nervous minutes later.

Moore did bring some improvement to the side. They looked a lot more solid than of late and were well-organised.

But, as has been the case this season, they lacked a real cutting edge and one goal wasn’t enough.

They scored when Sidney Schmeltz curled a pass from the right wing in between the Us defenders for Joe Ironside, lively throughout, to finish.

His instant strike beat keeper Ryan Clarke.

But Pools soon started sitting back, defending deep. Goalkeeper Scott Flinders made a save two minutes after the opener to smother a Danny Hylton chance, but he was beaten on 65 minutes by the same player.

A quick move saw a cross from the left met by the striker.

Pools could have won it in injury time, but keeper Clarke made a fine save to keep out a goalbound volley from Jon Franks. 

Midfielder Matty Dolan was forced out of the starting line up after being injured in the warm-up, replaced by Nicky Featherstone.

A hamstring injury means the loan signing will be out of action for up to six weeks and will return to his parent club Bradford City.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Austin, Bates, Jones, Holden; Franks, Woods, Featherstone, Schmeltz (Compton 74); Harewood, Ironside (Fenwick 80). Subs: Maxtead (gk), Richards, Lanzoni, Green.

OXFORD UNITED: Clarke; Riley, Wright, Mullins (Dunkley 31), Holmes-Dennis; Whing, Rose; Burns, Collins, Hylton; Campbell (Meades 56). Subs: Potter, Ruffels, O’Dowda, Crocombe, Ashby.