Pools and Bristol Rovers played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at The Vic this evening as both teams enjoyed spells of pressure throughout the game.
Despite snatching the lead inside the first ten minutes when Michael Nelson hit home, Danny Wilson's men were pegged back later in the first half and neither team could find that crucial breakthrough in the second period.
Pools found themselves in the unusual position of taking the lead in a game against Rovers this evening; Michael Nelson, captain for the evening in place of Sam Collins, popping up with the opener in the 6th minute of play.
A powerful cross from Matty Robson on the left flank saw Steve Phillips in the visiting goal flap at the ball and just get his fingers to it to tip over for a corner kick.
Robson, who has been a threat for Pools in recent games with his crosses, whipped the corner in from the right which again troubled Phillips - this time the keeper could punch only as far as Kevin Kyle on the near touchline. The big striker did well to keep the ball in play before putting it back to Robson, who cheekily dinked the ball into the box where Nelson rose well to direct a header past Phillips and into the back of the net.
Wilson's men looked strong in possession and confident going forward with Kyle looking a threat up front and Joel Porter and James Brown also proving lively going forward. Add to that Matty Robson's threat from the left flank and Pools caused the visitors problems all evening going forward.
In what was a rare attack for the visitors, Jo Kuffour turned to shoot at goal from just outside the box but Arran Lee-Barrett reacted well to the visitor's first real shot of the game in the 23rd minute and got down to deny the goal.
Just seconds later though and Rovers were level; a great ball through from Joe Jacobsen caught the Pools' defence off-guard and set Jeff Hughes running in on goal. Hughes took the ball round Lee-Barrett who had come off his line and rolled the ball across goal and into the bottom right hand corner of the Pools' net.
Pools were denied a penalty when Joel Porter had bundled his way past three Rovers defenders along the byline and into the box before being harshly challenged to the ground but despite referee Mr Taylor being in a close proximity, he waved away all appeals for a penalty.
Kyle picked up possession twenty yards out on goal to power a thunderous effort goalwards but his effort scraped just over the bar as Pools looked to re-take the lead.
But just as Pools looked a threat with their every attack, so did the visitors- all be it less often. A good ball from Aaron Lescot on the left wing was touched on inside the box by Kuffour to Craig Disley but his powerful blast went just wide of Lee-Barrett's left post when it looked easier to score.
Wilson's men enjoyed spells of pressure right throughout the half, pinning the visitors deep into their own half but despite good work in the final third, there was no further breakthrough before the break and the teams went in level at half time.
After dealing with a spell of pressure from the visitors just after the break, Pools were deal a massive blow when James Brown, who had caused problems all evening with his non-stop positive running, had to be stretchered from the field. The tricky forward turned awkwardly going in to challenge and seemed to be in considerable pain and looked to know immediately that there was a problem with his right knee.
Rovers looked a bigger threat in the second period as the really pressed the Pools' rearguard; Kuffour was a big threat with his pace on the break while Hughes was busy in midfield. But the Pools defence were working hard to keep Bristol Rovers at bay; Ben Clark in particular was in good form this evening after switching back to central defence.
Wilson's men enjoyed their fair share of possession and went close to taking the lead again when a Matty Robson corner from the right wing fizzed into the box and fell perfectly in line with Kyle who was rushing forwards but the big striker's fierce header struck the crossbar on its way over.
Steve Phillips pulled off a great save to deny Robson a goal after determined play from Sweeney; the right back, who was busy all evening put a ball into the area which was struck by Gary Liddle before deflecting to Robson, He saw his blast from close range parried well by Phillips to put it wide of target.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, both teams continued to enjoy periods of pressure on goal and it really looked as if the game could go either way.
A Robson freekick from twenty yards was parried by Phillips while Byron Anthony, who was strong for the visitors, rose well to intercept a Robson cross into the box.
Porter saw his effort from the left edge of the box crash against the woodwork as Pools looked to land the final blow with some late pressure.
Robson was denied after hitting a sweet effort at goal in added time but another great save by Phillips denied the winger from grabbing a late winner.
Pools brought to an end their 3-game losing run in the League with a 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers this evening but they will be disappointed not to have taken all three points from a game which promised more.
Att: 3171 (97 away)
Pools: Lee-Barrett, Sweeney, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Brown (Foley 57), Liddle, Jones, Monkhouse (Humphreys 70), Kyle, Porter
Subs Not Used: Budtz, McCunnie, Mackay
Bristol Rovers: Phillips, R Green, Anthony, Elliott, Lescot, Disley, Hughes, Campbell, Jacobsen, Lambert, Kuffour
Subs Not Used: Hinton, Duffy, M Green, Rigg, Langley
