Dave Challinor discusses key turning points that saw Hartlepool United concede a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at Ebbsfleet United

After Gavan Holohan’s brace put Pools 2-0 ahead at half-time, The Fleet were reduced to 10-men when Josh Umerah was shown a straight red card.

The three points looked to be secured until a quickfire double from Myles Weston saw the home side grab an unlikely draw at Stonebridge Road.

United had dominated the majority of the game and had several chances to put the game to bed.

So when Ebbsfleet sniffed a chance and took it, the visitors were left scratching their heads as to how they had failed to secure another win from a commanding position.

When discussing the turning points that led to the draw, United boss Dave Challinor said: “You can look at lots of different things but the first 10-minutes of the second half we’ve had three gilt edged opportunities.

“You could potentially point to when Feath [Nicky Featherstone] got on the ball, got turned over and got a booking which brought the crowd back into the game so I think there was a few little things.

“I’m not going to be critical of the players because they deserved more than a point from the game and I’m not disappointed with them, I’m more disappointed for them.

“Goals change games in football and we were up against a team who were really on the back foot and we knew that a third goal would absolutely kill them.

“As it happened, they got the goal and some momentum which got the crowd back in the game.

“I wouldn’t say we dealt with things badly but we gave cheap free-kicks away which allowed them to put their big players forward and build momentum.

“Then we still had a chance at the end which Jason [Kennedy] had where I don’t know if it was cleared off the line or what, I’m not sure but we should have won the game but we haven’t.

“It hurts, football isn’t great at times but we move on.”