Hartlepool United’s Enterprise National League season ended with a 3-1 defeat against Boston United at the Jakemans Community Stadium in Nicky Featherstone’s final game in charge.
After Max Kouogun gave Pools the lead midway into the second period, three goals in quick succession from Connor Teale, Frankie Maguire and Tom Cursons sealed three points for the hosts.
Featherstone made four changes from the victory over Southend United in midweek. Adam Smith, Tom Parkes, Jay Sway and Matty Daly replaced the unavailable Nick Hayes, Cam John, Reiss McNally and Tyrese Sinclair in the starting lineup.
The first chance of the game fell to the Pilgrims eight minutes in, as Smith was called into action with a brilliant save to tip away Jordan Richards’ strike towards the top-right corner.
Minutes later, Daly squared to Alex Reid in the box, whose low effort flashed wide of the left corner.
At the half-hour mark, Smith came off his line quickly to stop a close-range Jacob Hazel shot, before Kouogun’s header at the back post forced forced Louis Chadwick into a save 10 minutes later.
In the final moments of the first half, the hosts threatened once more, with Smith’s strong save denying Hazel at the near post.
Five minutes into the second period, Maguire found space at the edge of the Pools box and took aim, seeing his attempt rise just over the bar.
But Pools grew into the half and, on 65 minutes, opened the scoring. Jamie Miley made it three assists in three games when his pinpoint corner found Kouogun, whose thumping header soared into the roof of the net.
Later in the half, Miley and Sway had low efforts saved and blocked; however, Kouogun brilliantly cleared off the line not long after to keep the visitors ahead.
Boston did find their equaliser on 79 minutes, though. Richards switched the ball out to Teale on the right, who cut inside and rifled home into the bottom-left corner.
And the Pilgrims took the lead in the 83rd minute when Chadwick’s long kick caused trouble for Pools, allowing Maguire to fire home into the bottom-left corner.
Five minutes later, it was three for the hosts – Lenell John-Lewis’ flick-on released Cursons in the box, who found the bottom-right corner with his finish.
Pools: Smith, Benn, Parkes (Walker 17’), Kouogun, Hunter, Sway, Daly (Oliver 61’), Miley, Sheron, Campbell (Ferguson 81’), Reid (Caton 61’)
Unused subs: Conyard, Johnson, Folarin
Goalscorer: Kouogun (65’)
