Hartlepool United dumped out of the FA Cup by National League North club Marine
Hartlepool United suffered a shock home defeat in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round home tie with Marine.
Hartlepool United failed to reach the FA Cup first round proper for the fourth consecutive season as National League North club Marine claimed a deserved win at Victoria Park thanks to second-half goals from Jack Doyle and James Potter.
Debutant Sam Lavelle and last weekend’s two-goal hero Nathan Sheron tried their luck without success in the opening 20 minutes - but it was Chris Popov that went closest when his powerful effort was tipped over the bar by visitors goalkeeper Jack McIntyre.
After resisting a lively start from Pools, the National League North side started to gain in confidence and there was a let-off for Wild’s men just after the half-hour mark when Marine defender Declan Drysdale allowed a free-kick to roll out of his reach and into the grateful arms of Max Thompson when he was well placed to punish some poor marking. Thompson was at the heart of the visitors next opportunity as he raced from his area before quickly retreating as Fin Sinclair-Smith tried to find the empty net from 20 yards but sent an effort high and wide.
The two sides exchanged chances in the opening ten minutes of the second-half with Pools striker Jordan Hugill striking the top of the crossbar with a header before Charlie Jolley’s angled drive just evaded the far post moments later. The breakthrough arrived with 20 minutes remaining and it fell the way of the visitors as the ever-dangerous Sinclair-Smith released Doyle into the left-hand side of the area before he beat Thompson at his near post.
Things went from bad to worse for Pools just six minutes later when the visitors doubled their lead and put one foot into the first round proper as substitute James Potter forced the ball home from close range after Eccleston had partially blocked a Sinclair-Smith shot from the edge of the area. Substitutes Will Harris and Terry Bondo forced late saves out of Marine stopper McIntyre in the closing stages - but time ticked away as the visitors were left to celebrate a famous win.
Hartlepool United: Thompson, McNally, Ilunga (Bondo), Hugill (Harris), Eccleston, Sheron, Nolan, Popov (Miley), Deeming (Thornton), Clark (John), Lavelle Subs: Fisher, Hunter
Marine: McIntyre, Abankwah, Drysdale, Wardle, Doyle, Whelan, Darby, Raikhy (Butler), Sinclair-Smith, Simms (Potter), Jolley Subs: Timmins, Hilton, Butler, Kattah, Huby, McAleny
Your next Hartlepool United read: Hartlepool United supporting local NHS workers on Restart a Heart Day