Bristol Rovers v Hartlepool United LIVE!: Team news and updates as Graeme Lee's side head to the Memorial Stadium

Jamie Sterry was shown a red card in the defeat to Bristol Rovers. (Credit: Will Matthews | MI News)Jamie Sterry was shown a red card in the defeat to Bristol Rovers. (Credit: Will Matthews | MI News)
Jamie Sterry was shown a red card in the defeat to Bristol Rovers. (Credit: Will Matthews | MI News)
Hartlepool United suffered late heartbreak at the Memorial Stadium as Bristol Rovers scored twice in the final five minutes to take all three points.

Aaron Collins fired in from close range as Pools failed to clear their lines from a cross into the area from the left.

And with Pools chasing an equaliser in the closing stages they were reduced to 10 men as Jamie Sterry was given his marching orders for a tangle with Anthony Evans.

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Sterry was the last man with goalkeeper Ben Killip out of his area and left referee Carl Brook little option but to show the defender a red card.

Hartlepool United are back in League Two action as they head to the Memorial Stadium to take on Bristol Rovers. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)Hartlepool United are back in League Two action as they head to the Memorial Stadium to take on Bristol Rovers. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Hartlepool United are back in League Two action as they head to the Memorial Stadium to take on Bristol Rovers. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

And from the resulting freekick, Evans fired a delightful effort in off the crossbar giving Killip little chance.

Pools were much the better team for large parts of the game and will be wondering how James Belshaw was able to deny Mark Cullen in the second half and it was a chance they would rue in the closing stages.

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Bristol Rovers 2-0 Hartlepool United RECAP: Rovers grab late win as Jamie Sterry sees red

Key Events

  • Hartlepool United XI: Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Liddle, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone, Crawford, Holohan, Molyneux, Carver
  • Subs: Boyes, Ogle, Hull, Shelton, Daly, Grey, Cullen
  • Marcus Carver makes his Hartlepool United debut
  • Bristol Rovers XI: Belshaw, Grant, Kilgour, Collins, Nicholson, Coutts ©, Taylor, Anderson, Evans, Harries, Loft
  • Subs: Jaakkola, Connolly, Anderson, Whelan, Pitman, Thomas, Clarke

Ferguson goes into the book for a challenge on Harries

Kilgour gets away with a missed interception from Ferguson’s clipped ball forward. Belshaw gathers with Carver pressing

Lovely move from Pools in possession which comes to an end as Carver fouls Harries

Good chance for Pools as Carver wins it back for Crawford and both Molyneux and Carver looked to be clear of the high Bristol line but Crawford overhits the pass

Freekick for Pools midway inside the half finds Featherstone in the area and his cross finds Carver at the near post who sees an effort diverted wide. Close.

Odusina takes a little bit of the sting out of things by winning a freekick from Loft

Well held from Killip who watches Grant’s cross from the left well

Good challenge from Crawford to deny Nicholson after the Rover winger skipped inside of Liddle

Crawford played into the area from Sterry and he tried to pick out Holohan but the home side scramble it clear. It was a chance for Pools

Coutts heads wide Evans’ freekick from the right

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