Hartlepool United player ratings vs Eastleigh as star man gets 8/10
Hartlepool United suffered a late defeat in Friday night’s home game with National League rivals Eastleigh.
There was late agony at Victoria Park on Friday night as Hartlepool United fell to a narrow defeat against National League rivals Eastleigh.
Pools were reduced to ten men in the early stages of the second-half when Neo Eccleston was shown a second yellow card - but they held firm and appeared to be on their way to a deserved point. However, a 95th minute goal from Nelson Khumbeni handed the points to their side.
We reflect on a frustrating night for Pools and dish out our player ratings.
Hartlepool United v Eastleigh player ratings
Max Merrick - 8
Without question, Pools star man and deservedly awarded man of the match for an impressive performance. His command of his area and decision making showed just why Merrick is so highly rated at Chelsea.
Jay Benn - 7
Stuck to his task well in his own half despite facing a lively opponent and tried to get forward when he could - but struggled to get quality delivery into the area.
Jack Hunter - 6
Was poor in the first-half and gave the ball away too easily at times - but improved once Pools had gone down to ten men and kept battling away.
Max Kouogun - 7
May feel he could and should have put Pools in front with a second-half header from a Miley corner. Defensively was solid and stood up to the physical challenge.
Reiss McNally - 7
Along with his centre-back partner Kouogun, coped well with the aerial threat posed to them by the visitors.
Brooklyn Ilunga - 7
Was a very lively presence during the first half and found himself in some very promising positions as Pools looked to put their visitors under early pressure.
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Jamie Miley - 7
Was smart on the ball and worked hard to press the visitors when out of possession. Miley kept plugging away in midfield when his side were reduced to ten men for almost the entirety of the second-half.
Will Harris - 6
Had one golden opportunity in the first-half and brought a smart save out of Eastleigh keeper Ben Townsend. However, it didn’t really feel like it was the striker’s night.
Neo Eccleston - 6
Hard not to feel for Eccleston given the circumstances of his second yellow card - although some may feel he could have seen red for his coming together with Temitope Eweka in the first half.
Chris Popov - 6
Much like Harris, there can be no doubting his work-rate and effort on the night - but things just didn’t fall his way throughout a frustrating night.
Corey McKeown - 6
McKeown appeared to be Pools best bet of opening up Eastleigh during the first half as he and Ilunga looked set to cause issues for their visitors. However, it just didn’t happen for the former Spennymoor Town winger.
Subs: Nathan Sheron (on for Ilunga) - 6, Jordan Hugill (on for Harris) - 6, Jack Nolan (on for Popov) - 7, Cam John (on for McKeown) - 6 Subs not used: Nathan Fisher, Liam Gibson, Terry Bondo
Your next Hartlepool United read: Ten-man Hartlepool United fall to cruel late defeat against Eastleigh