HARTLEPOOL UNITED’S home season ended with an unflattering draw with Torquay United.

The Gulls – managed by former Sunderland midfielder Gary Owers - were relegated after failing to win.

But they dominated the second-half, penning Pools back and only having one goal to show for their efforts. The visitors had 22 efforts at goals to Pools 6.

Pools went in front on 15 minutes when a low Ryan Donaldson shot took a deflection and rolled into the net. .

Louis Laing, on 27 minutes, was harshly ruled to have felled Rhys Healey in the area, but keeper Scott Loach kept out the firmly-struck spot kick from Brett Williams.

Jack Munns almost made it two when his low, angled free-kick bounced in front of keeper Dorel who managed to keep it out.

But from then on it was the visitors doing all the attacking.

A shot from Healey flashed into the side-netting, Loach saved spectacularly from George Dowling. Next up, a close-range header from Reid beat Loach, but came back off the bar.

Loach again infuriated the Gulls – and their 152 fans – with a fine save to deny Reid again.

Pools had teenager Aaron Cunningham red carded on 80 minutes, and 60 seconds later the Gulls were level when Healey drilled in from ten yards.

And Pools hung on, another flat home performance in a season full  of them.

Bates admitted: “I think it sums up our season, we didn’t play great. We defended well first-half about being under any pressure and their shape caused us a problem,’’ said Bates. “The fans have been brilliant here. They haven’t had a lot to cheer about and still turn up and all they want to see is a winning football team.

“With Connor Newton coming off, Aaron sent-off I would probably take a point.

“We were missing Woodsy and Mags and we didn’t have the personnel to win the game.’’

Visiting boss Owers said: “I don’t think I can say anything to make anyone feel any better and I said that to the players.

“The consequences are devastating and the performance and result were irrelevant. For the record we were excellent today and how we didn’t win the game sums up the season.

“I would like personally to say sorry to each and every Torquay supporter this evening – I’m sure they are not feeling great, but I can tell them I feel ten times worse myself.''

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2): Loach; Hawkins, Laing, Harrison, Adams; Hawkes, Featherstone, Newton (Munns 23), Donaldson; Cassidy, Oates (Cunningham 65). Subs: Catterick (gk), Orrell, Owen.

TORQUAY UNITED (3-5-2): Davies; Balatoni (Downing 64), McGinty, Gowling; Davies, Williams (Keating 84), Young, Evans, Barnes (Efete 79); Reid, Healey. Subs: Clarke (gk), Klukowski.