A first half to forget for the neutrals. Neither team able to work their way into the game and string together a combination of passes.
The opening two minutes saw Ferguson deliver a dangerous free kick right in front of the Stockport keeper but a man in yellow couldn't take advantage.
20 minutes gone and Gary Liddle made a combination of fantastic blocks and challenges to deny Madden and Reid opening the scoring. Stockport had a big appeal for a penalty with one of the challenges but the referee wasn't interested.
The biggest chance in the first half for Pools came just before the break. Armstrong battled well down the right hand side, volleyed the ball across but Shelton couldn't get the right connection to generate any power on his shot on goal.
Dave Challinor couldn't have wished for a better start to the second half as on 48 minutes Pools took the lead. Cass drove down the right hand side, played a one-two with Sterry, delivered a cross into the box right onto the head of Holohan who put us 1-0 in the lead!
Pools continued to be positive after taking the lead. Just five minutes later, a corner ball from Ferguson found Liddle who was free as a bird at the back post but he was unable to find the back of the net with his low header.
70 minutes gone and Holohan fantastically drove forward, beat two defenders for his shot to be saved. Armstrong then followed up for his effort from close range to be blocked.
Two minutes later, Stockport counter-attacked with Newby driving forward and forced Killip into an excellent low save.
Stockport found their equaliser on 78 minutes. Southam-Hales with the long throw into the box, the defender knocks it on and Madden volleys it home.
Despite plenty of Stockport possession in the final ten minutes, the game finished 1-1. A strong performance from Dave Challinor's men as they return back to The Vic next Friday.
XI: Killip; Ferguson, Johnson, Liddle, Cass, Sterry (Donaldson 78') Featherstone, Shelton, Holohan; Armstrong (Ofosu 88'), Molyneux