DANNY Wilson was satisfied with the point his patched-up side took at Hereford.

Pools drew 1-1 at Edgar Street after an improved second half display – Pools were poor in the opening period and it's now six games since Pools won a League One game.

Fielding a patched up side, with a string of players ruled out through illness, injury and suspension, Pools could count themselves unlucky not to win.

In a first-half in which the visitors weren't at the races, the home side took a deserved lead.

Winger Gareth Ainsworth broke away on the right flank and his low cross was turned in from eight yards at the second attempt by Steve Guinan.

Pools keeper Jan Budtz made three telling saves to keep the deficit down, the pick of them coming when he dived across goal and clawed out an overhead effort from Guinan.

But Pools were much improved after the interval – after being boosted by a quick goal.

Matty Robson crossed deep from the left flank and, with Kevin Kyle and Michael Mackay going for the high ball, defender Dean Beckwith powered a header high into his own net.

From then on, it was the visitors who had the best chances by far, with keeper Craig Samson saving from Robson, Mackay, Kyle and Sam Collins, while defender Michael Rose headed a Kyle effort off the line with the keeper beaten.

Pools handed Jonny Rowell a debut and the teenager impressed when he moved into central midfield.

Attendance: 2,490 HEREFORD UNITED: Samson; Rose, Beckwith, Gowling, Taylor; Ainsworth, Smith, Diagouraga (Easton 81), Done; Guinan, Williams. Subs (not used): Gwynne, Chadwick, Broadhurst, Hudson-Odoi.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Budtz; Sweeney (McCunnie 73), Nelson, Collins, Humphreys; Rowell, Liddle, Clark (Monkhouse 86), Robson; Kyle, Mackay (Foley 63). Subs (not used): Power, Cook (gk)