Hartlepool United v Stevenage RECAP: How things played out as Graeme Lee's side take a point at the Suit Direct Stadium
Pools fell behind midway through the second half when Gary Liddle was penalised for a foul on substitute Jamie Reid with referee Martin Coy showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Norris stepped up and converted well sending Ben Killip the wrong way.
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Hide AdTo Pools’ credit they fought back in a game where they might have let things slip with very little in the way of clear cut chances up to that point.
And it was captain Featherstone who grabbed the equaliser as he fired in superbly from the edge of the area at the first time of asking from Joe Grey’s set up.
Graeme Lee’s side pressed for a winner in the closing 10 minutes but were unable to find a way though a resolute Stevenage defence.
And here is how the full 90 minutes played out at the Suit Direct Stadium.
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Hartlepool United 1-1 Stevenage LIVE: Nicky Featherstone rescues a point for Hartlepool
Key Events
- Featherstone draws Hartlepool level with a well-taken goal
- Norris scores from the spot to give Stevenage the lead.
- Hartlepool United XI: Killip, Ogle, Byrne, Liddle, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone ©, Shelton, Holohan, Molyneux, Cullen
- Subs: Boyes, Hull, Hendrie, Crawford, Smith, Grey, Olomola
- Stevenage XI: Pym, James-Wildin. Coker, Reeves, Cuthbert ©, Prosser, Taylor, Norris, Westbrooke, Lines, Vancooten
- Subs: Carter, Andrade, Upson, Daly, O’Neill, Reid, Walker
That’s all for today folks as Pools take another point on home soil.
Join us again on Tuesday night as we bring you all the team news and updates throughout the evening as Graeme Lee’s side host Charlton Athletic in the quarter final of the Papa John’s Trophy.
Thanks for joining us.
Graeme Lee reacts
Hartlepool United manager Graeme Lee gave his reaction to Pools’ 1-1 draw with Stevenage at the Suit Direct Stadium.
“It’s hard to reflect on it. First half, there were good bits and there were poor bits. We lacked that little bit of drive to get into the final third to try and create.
“When we did create we had two fantastic opportunities, we snatched at it instead of being a bit more composed.
“That’s what we’re lacking at the minute, that final bit of putting the ball in the back of the net to settle us down.
“We had them on the back foot in the first half but we started way off it in the second half, I was very disappointed.
“We still felt comfortable like they weren’t going to hurt us and then we concede a silly penalty and ultimately we’re 1-0 down.
“As it happens it made us liven up, and the response was very good. We came back into the game and we get our goal and then we just couldn’t create the chances to get us a winner.
“The response is how we should have started the second half. That desire to be on the front foot.
“We shouldn’t wait until we go 1-0 down to play, it was just too comfortable.”
Reaction
It ends all square for Pools once more on home soil as Nick Featherstone’s fine first time strike cancels out Luke Norris’ spot kick for Stevenage.
A draw is perhaps the fair result on reflection in a game where neither side really asserted their dominance.
It’s frustrating for Pools who have now won just one of their last six game at the Suit Direct Stadium
FULL TIME
The referee brings the game to a close and it’s another draw at home for Pools who have to settle for a point after Featherstone’s equaliser.
Another effort from distance by Shelton. The midfielder was slipping as he pulled the trigger making it easier for Pym