Hartlepool United secured a winning start to their Prestige Group Stadium season with a 2-0 win over Braintree Town in the Enterprise National League.
An own-goal from Braintree’s Aiden Francis-Clarke gave Pools the lead before half-time after both sides had a goal ruled off for offside.
Alex Reid opened his Pools account from the penalty spot in the second half to secure victory at home, as Iron captain George Langston saw red.
It was a physical start to the game, with both sides making plenty of tackles.
Alex Reid had the ball in the net after 13 minutes, but his first goal was ruled out by the offside flag.
Braintree’s Fletcher Hubbard would meet the same fate in the 29th minute, as he slotted past Cartwright only for his effort to be chalked off by the linesman.
A well-worked move from Pools allowed the ball to make its way into the penalty box, when Francis-Clarke would kick the ball past Mason Terry and into his own net to give Pools the lead 33 minutes in.
Danny Johnson came close to a second just before half-time, but a full-stretch Terry denied the forward.
Reid would be brought down in the box by Langston in the 54th minute as Pools were awarded a penalty and the Iron skipper was sent off.
Tom Parkes’ foul on John Akinde saw the visitors awarded a spot-kick in the 69th minute.
Akinde took the penalty, which Harvey Cartwright would save comfortably.
The Iron would have the ball in the Pools net again in the 82nd minute, but once again would be foiled by the offside flag.
Jay Benn came close to adding a third in stoppage time, but his effort was just shy of the target.
Pools: Cartwright, Benn, John, Parkes © (Kouogun 73′), McNally, Francis (Campbell 90+5′), Johnson (Charman 82′), Sheron, Miley (Walker 82′), Reid (Daly 73′), Topallaj
Unused subs: Smith, Hunter
Goals: Reid (55′)
Attendance: 3424
