Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor reacts to 2-2 draw against Barrow at Victoria Park and discusses how his side have set the benchmark

After a goalless first half, Pools went behind due to a Lewis Hardcastle strike 40 seconds into the second half before a Gavan Holohan stunner levelled the score 10-minutes later.

Dior Angus restored the Bluebirds’ advantage before United captain Ryan Donaldson rescued a point with a late header.

Following the match, Challinor said: “I think before the game we might have taken a point because we knew it would be a tough game against a side who are deservedly top of the table.

“We’re a work in progress but we were hoping we’d be like a wounded animal after the Harrogate game so we needed to bounce back.

“I couldn’t ask more from them in terms of effort but the goals conceded are really poor and put us on the back foot.

“The first half was positive and then we shoot ourselves in the foot by conceding so soon after the restart. We got a deserved equaliser and a great goal to lift the crowd and get them on the feet but then we concede another poor goal when we were on top.

“I was pleased with how the crowd stuck by us and we got back level again. I questioned the effort from the side on Boxing Day but they’ve responded well in terms of their effort which is the benchmark they’ve set themselves now.

“Ultimately, we matched Barrow and got a deserved point against the best team in this league.”