Dave Challinor's tongue in cheek response to firework explosion on the pitch during Hartlepool United's 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Salford City

With Pools trailing 1-0 in extra-time, a firework launched from behind the Moor Lane North Stand found its way onto the pitch as it exploded just meters away from both sets of players.

Just days after Bonfire Night, fireworks were being launched around the Peninsula Stadium in what appeared to be an obvious attempt to distract the players.

Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident as the game was briefly halted to allow the referee to clear some of the debris from the field as a blanket of smoke lingered in the ground.

And Challinor was quick to play things down after the game as he said: “Anyone who was dropping off, that would have certainly woke them up!

"It added a bit of atmosphere and it was almost like playing in Turkey rather than Salford."

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