Pools were held to a 1-1 draw at Consett tonight after the visitors grabbed a late goal to delight a good crowd at Belle Vue Road.

The best chances of a tight first half fell to Consett old boy Michael Mackay but his touch in front of goal deserted him and his first shot was saved and a second opening saw him fire over the bar.

Pools dominated possession with Alan Power looking particularly tigerish in the centre of midfield, but they couldn't find the killer ball to open up the hosts' defence.

The moment finally arrived early in the second half when the impressive Jonny Rowell drove a low cross from the left to the near post where it was deflected in off an unlucky defender, though Matin Young was happy to take the congratulations.

But if Pools expected the goal to knock the stuffing out of their Northern League opponents they were in for a surprise as they rallied and enjoyed their best period of the game.

A quick free-kick in midfield sent Steven Johnson clean through on goal but he smacked an effort against the post.

Moments later, substitute Craig Robson tested Pools keeper Mark Cook and, when the ball was only half cleared, lively winger Gary Ormston grazed the right-hand post with a low drive.

Matty Tymon flashed a volley wide at the other end, while Andy Monkhouse and Alan Power both tried their luck from distance without success.

And with time running out, Consett grabbed their equaliser when Arron Sherrif's right-wing corner was fired in from close range by Johnson.

It could have even have got worse for Pools in the dying seconds when the dangerous Johnson sent a looping header just over Cook's goal.

Full Time: Consett 1 Pools 1

Pools: Cook, McCunnie (Ellison 78), Nelson (Marron 78), Tait, Hamilton, Young, Rowell, Power, Monkhouse (McRoberts 82), Mackay, Tymon.
Sub not used: Thomas.

Consett: Gilmore, Gaffney, Curry, Dickman, Piecha, Ormston, Brown, Cuthbertson, Johnson, Clark, Sherrif.
Subs: Robson, Craig, Douglas, Patterson, Robson, Yip.