Chester City 2 Hartlepool Utd 1

HARTLEPOOL United's visits to Chester City have been about as inspiring as the surroundings.

In the Deva Stadium, Pools' results have matched the grey breeze blocks which form the arena. And last night Danny Wilson must have felt like banging his head against a few of them.

A goal in front, the game changed on 18 minutes when Jon Daly was dismissed.

The big Irishman was red carded for a challenge on defender David Artell. The Football League can expect an appeal to be lodged as there's little doubt Wilson felt injustice.

As a result of Daly's challenge, Dave Artell appeared to go to ground easily and furious Wilson blasted: "In 30 years of being invovled in the game I have never been involved in an incident when a player has tried to get another sent off.

"He has conned the referee and it's a disgrace."

Faced with ten men for 72 minutes, Pools had a tough task on their hands and succumbed to two goals in five minutes either side of the break.

Pools have not won in Chester since November 1970, drawing four and losing 12 of their visits, with just seven goals to show.

They would have fancied their chances last night, after going in front - at least until Daly's red card.

Wilson's side started well and Liddle played a 60-yard ball into Porter's path and he took the ball under control and advanced into the area. He tried to clip the ball past Danby at the near post, but the keeper blocked low.

Next time the Aussie was involved he gave Pools the lead - how much he knew about it is open to debate.

Porter chased down a back pass to John Danby and the keeper crashed his clearance into Porter's body and it rolled beyond the keeper into the empty net.

Pools lost Matty Robson soon after with what appeared to be a dead leg, and John Brackstone arrived at left back, with Ritchie Humphreys pushing into midfield.

And their game-plan was further disrupted soon after when Daly was red-carded for an innocuous challenge.

He went for a challenge with Artell and the defender collapsed in a heap. Referee Andy Woolmer then became interested and red-carded the Irishman, who was guilty of backing into the defender and nothing more.

There was little doubt what Wilson thought about Artell's reaction, as he exchanged verbals with the defender after he suddenly returned to his feet. Daly will now miss the Darlington game next week.

Pools - and their three man midfield - had to work even harder. Striker Gregg Blundell had already demonstrated his pace and they had to stop him from getting in behind the back four.

Blundell blazed over from eight yards on 34 minutes, after being set up by strike partner Jon Walters.

But then Foley did the same. He was played in by Porter, took a touch on the run inside the six yard area and blasted way over.

And it proved costly, as Chester levelled in injury time.

Micky Nelson was pulled up for a foul, the umpteenth innocuous decision of the night after referee Woolmer bemused both sides in equal measure. Roberto Martinez took the free-kick square and full back Kevin Sandwith bombed on and crossed. Konstantopoulos got a touch, but diverted the ball into the path of Ashley Westwood who diverted the ball in.

From another free-kick, awarded 25 seconds into the second period, Westwood planted a free-header wide from six yards.

With ten men, it was going to be a long 45 minutes for Pools.

Nelson then had to hook away from Blundell, before Wilson's side fell behind.

Chester stretched the ten men, switching play from left to right. Jon Walters fired in for Blundell, his shot was stopped on the line by Konstantopoulos and Walters prodded in.

Bullock had a half chance to level when he got on the end of a four-man move, but his touch was too heavy as he lined up to shoot from 16 yards and the opening was lost.

But Pools were wide open and Chester were finding their passes to drag the visitors around. Brackstone, on the left, was having a particularly rough time.

Clark pushed a low shot, after Nelson's header was blocked, straight at keeper Danby. Brackstone then had a free-kick 25 yards out and curled his shot onto the roof of the net.

Pools, when chances came along, had to make them count.

It looked like it was going to be 3-1 when Blundell flicked a header towards the top corner, but Konstantopoulos used every inch of his giant frame to paw it away.

Pools had a half-hearted penalty appeal rejected when Michael Maidens tumbled but it wasn't their night for decisions.