Hartlepool United fans react to 3-3 FA Trophy penalty shootout defeat at Halifax Town and 'massive positive' goal from Luke Williams

A Luke Summerfield penalty and Gevaro Nepomuceno striker put Halifax into a commanding 2-0 lead inside the opening 15-minutes before Luke Williams pulled one back from the penalty spot himself.

Nicky Featherstone then equalised for Pools after Jeff King was sent off for handball on the line. Shaymen debutant Billy Chadwick quickly put the hosts back ahead before Gavan Holohan forced penalties with a fine strike with 12-minutes to go.

Halifax dispatched all four of their penalties with aplomb while only Nicky Featherstone and Luke Armstrong found the net for Pools in the shootout. Ryan Donaldson and Holohan both blazed over the bar from 12-yards as The Shaymen progressed.

Here’s how fans reacted to the result on Twitter...

Mike Benson: “No secret I don’t agree with that cup going ahead this season but Luke Williams getting 45 and a goal is a massive positive.”

Jordan Richardson: “Prime example of how imperative Featherstone and Holohan are to the team, the game changed massively in the second half with both of them in midfield.”

Jack Ashman: “Good to get back into the game, but why are we 2-0 down after 20 minutes two weeks in a row? Hurry up and get Gary Liddle back fit. Defence needs that mature head there.”

@Stotty03V2: “At least we can focus on staying up now.”

Matthew Guffick: “Whole focus now on the league. Let’s get into those playoffs man.”

@EvinTM_: “Don’t care what anyone says, Donaldson isn’t good enough, not a leader either.”

Mark Reeve: “Not even hitting the target from 12 yards, unopposed, is quite simply shocking.”

@HGutridge: “We can let the magic Irish man off he actually made a difference when he came on. But what does Donaldson do to be on the team sheet.”

@Poolieboy1Les1: “Unlucky lads, did well to get it back to 3-3 just wasn't to be with the penalties. Just got to concentrate on the National League now.”

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