Bristol Rovers v Hartlepool United LIVE!: Team news and updates as Graeme Lee's side head to the Memorial Stadium
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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Hide AdSterry 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.
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
Joey Barton on Pools
Ahead of this afternoon’s clash, Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has given his view on Graeme Lee’s side.
“A really good side. They just knocked Blackpool out of the FA Cup,” Barton told Bristol Live.
“(They play in a) 5-2-1-2 and that’s been effective for them even though they have changed manager from Dave Challinor.
“They’ve got a really poor away record. I think they’ve got the worst or second-worst away form in the division, so off the back of really good home form we went up there and were disappointed not to take anything from the game.”
Eagles to subsidise travel
Crystal Palace have made a kind gesture to Hartlepool United ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie with the Eagles prepared to offer subsidised travel to Pools fans travelling by coach to Selhurst Park next month.
Hartlepool United chief operating officer, Stephen Hobin, said “ During my conversations this week with Phil Alexander, CEO of Crystal Palace, Phil informed me that the club would like to contribute in some way to subsidise the official coach travel for our forthcoming FA Cup fixture at Selhurst Park.
“This is an extremely generous offer which has allowed us to only charge £12.50 for supporters who book a seat on one of our Official Coaches from the North East to London.
“It goes without saying that as a League Two club, newly promoted back to the EFL, we were naturally disappointed to not be selected for live broadcast and benefit from the substantial fees offered to those clubs fortunate enough to be selected. That is despite our extraordinary run in cup competitions this season beating five League One clubs, a Championship club and Everton thus far.
“This kind of gesture restores your faith in the football family and we are all very much looking forward to what will be a very special occasion for the many thousands of Poolies who will make the trip south. Thanks once again to all at Crystal Palace FC. ”
Carver in contention for Pools debut
Graeme Lee could hand a debut to his new signing Marcus Carver this afternoon following the arrival of the striker this week.
Carver, 28, joins Pools from National League North side Southport where he has scored 17 goals in all competitions so far this season.
And the Pools boss has been impressed with Carver during his first week of training.
“The first training session was Tuesday and he’s come in and you can see the attitude straight away is good,” said Lee.
“He’s mixed with the lads, he likes to get to know people, he trains hard, he trains with an intensity.
“I spoke to Southport manager Liam Watson many times, his judgement on players and what he’s brought through over the years has been fantastic.
“We’ve watched him and seen what he’s all about. He can lead the line, he’s an honest lad, he works his socks off for the team and he’s scoring goals so he’s somebody we wanted to get in and get done and we’re delighted.”
Good afternoon and welcome to the Memorial Stadium here in Bristol as Hartlepool United return to League Two action against Bristol Rovers.
Pools have fond memories of their last visit to the city of Bristol and will be hoping this afternoon brings another positive result as Graeme Lee’s side look to end a run of just one win in nine games.
Stay tuned to our Live Blog at the Hartlepool Mail throughout the day as we bring you team news and updates from the Memorial Stadium.