Pools denied at the death

Jake Gray’s 71st minute finish looked like it was enough for Pools, but they failed to cut out a long crossfield ball at the death and Ben Williamson was in the penalty area to convert.

It was Pools first away draw this season, but they should have been out of sight.

They started brightly, taking game to the home side. Loan striker Ellis Harrison struck the inside of the post in a goalmouth scramble.

He then had a goalbound shot diverted for a corner, before keeper Norris made a save to deny Harrison and then sprung up to deny Michael Woods from the follow up.

Pools’ keeper Trevor Carson was a spectator in the first-half, but Pools lost Harrison to injury and he was replaced by Rakish Bingham, who made little headway.

The second-half started in the same mould for Pools – as they created chances.

Gray was denied one on one by Norris, then he saw a shot from 12 yards pawed away.

Jake Carroll made a block to keep out a Barry Corr shot, before Pools took the lead.

Gray scored on 71 minutes, played in by the impressive Michael Woods his finish bounced into the net after a touch by the keeper.

Pools had 19 minutes to see it out, and they came under pressure.

Carroll denied Ryan Donaldson, and they looked like managing it, but a long crossfield ball caught them out and Williamson finished.

Moore said: “It’s hard to take, we should have been out of sight with the chances we had. Keeper made good saves, but you always know at 1-0 they will launch it, giants up top.

“We had a bit of luck with one or two and late on they got one – undeserved, We should have won it, but the pleasing thing is we didn’t lose it,.

“They pumped it all up top and we held on for a point we deserved.

“We played good football, had good chances, Jake was clean through just after half time and the keeper saved.

“Considering how we played Tuesday we came here today, played well and did all we asked. We win or lose, we rarely draw and a point could be vital.’’