Hartlepool United 1 Plymouth Argyle 1: Pools pegged back

Hartlepool United were pegged back for a point in today's League Two clash with high-fliers Plymouth Argyle.
Rhys Oates fires Pools in front. Picture by FRANK REIDRhys Oates fires Pools in front. Picture by FRANK REID
Rhys Oates fires Pools in front. Picture by FRANK REID

Pools raced into a 27th-minute lead through Rhys Oates only for Matty Kennedy to equalise with a brilliant equaliser a quarter of an hour from time.

Pools were under pressure in the opening stages from the automatic promotion favourites.

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Harrison was required to make a vital block, before Fryer saved well from Ryan Taylor.

The Pools keeper was forced into action again in the 11th minute when he was strong at his near post from Jake Jervis's shot.

Pools got forward in the 15th minute, with Nathan Thomas firing over the bar from a Lewis Alessandra lay-off.

But Pools were ahead 12 minutes later with Thomas involved. He got in behind the away defence only for his shot to be saved by the keeper.

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However, OATES followed in to blast it high into the net from six yards.

Half-time:

Pools 1

Plymouth 0

Pools had an escape early in the second half when Plymouth had handball shout against Harrison in the home box

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Pools threatened the away goal in the 51st minute, Woods driving in a shot from 25 yards which McCormick saved.

There was a scare in the 68th minute when centre-back Sonny Bradley flicked a shot wide from an Argyle corner.

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At the other end, Oates made a Maradona-style run but his shot was more Madonna and it trickled harmlessly to McCormick.

Plymouth pulled level in the 76th minute and it was a stunning strike from KENNEDY.

The midfielder came off his wing nicely and curled a great goal into the keeper's top left corner.

Pools forced two injury-time corners with Walker shootijng over the top but Mr Haines' full-time whistle came with honours even..

Full-time

HARTLEPOOL UNITED 1

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1

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Pools: Fryer, Richardson, Walker, Harrison, Kavanagh, Featherstone, Woods, Alessandra, Thomas (Nelson 84, Hawkins 88), Oates,.Amond

Unused Subs: Bartlett, Martin, Hawkes, Smith

Goal: Oates 27

Booked: Harrison 54

Plymouth: McCormick, Threlkeld, Sokolik, Bradley, Sawyer, Songo'o (Donaldson 71), Fox, Jervis (Spencer 60), Carey (Blissett 84), Kennedy, Taylor

Unused Subs: Dorel, Tanner, Bulvitis, Slew

Goal: Kennedy 76

Booked: Threlkeld 29, Taylor 66, Fox 68

Referee: Andy Haines (Sunderland)

Attendance: 3,684 (away 426)