DAVE Challinor admitted he was satisfied with the spirit and character displayed by his Hartlepool United side.

Trailing 2-0 at Victoria Park to Boreham Wood, Pools looked set for a miserable defeat.

But goals from Nicky Featherstone and Gime Toure from the spot earned a second successive 2-2 draw.

While Pools were two goals up at Ebbsfleet last week before drawing, this time they showed the other side of a comeback.

The new manager said: “It’s a point gained after 60 minutes. It doesn’t go how we want it – we started, and they started well, poorly in terms of intensity and the midfield three didn’t get near their midfield three.

“We grew into it, had chances and should have scored. Then we spoke at half-time about the first ten minutes and getting back into it. It went the other way, they score and we are up against it.

“We spoke in the lead up to the game about moments, how moments can get back into a game and the goal gave us impetus and the atmosphere changed, from then on we merited a point from then on.’’

After trailing to a penalty awarded after Michael Raynes fouled in the area, they thought they had levelled when Nicke Kabamba’s shot seemed to be pushed back from behind the line by goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.

Challinor admitted he felt it was a tough call to make by the officials if the ball was over the line.

Pools then fell two down after a clinical finish from Kabongo Tshimanga, and looked set for a familiar home reverse.

But they clawed it back in an exiting finale and Challinor smiled: “I’m unbeaten here which is good! Draws are good at keeping runs going, we are aware it’s not a good draw if we don’t win Tuesday. Win at home, draw away and that wins you the league.

“Away performances in the last month have been good without getting the results deserved around levels of performance. Hopefully we still get a result and that makes Tuesday a whole lot better.

“It was good to be here, I must say that I’ve spoke about the crowd, but they kept with the players and it’s easy to become disillusioned. We have to give them something to cheer about. There’s been a downward slope here and we need to keep them with us.’’

Opposite number Luke Garrard admitted: “To be honest, I’m proud of them – we have witnessed a team attacking the opposition and getting at them.

“For half hour and first-half we were outstanding and we could have been two or three to the good.

“At 2-1 we should have got a third to take the game away from the. Disappointing to lead 2-0 on 55 minutes and concede two.

“But I’m so happy with the way we played and the manner in which we attacked a good team.''

He added: “Toure came on to get them a result and we didn’t nullify their threat.

“Going away from home against a team with 3,000 fans and getting a point is a good one. For large spells today we were very good.''