Nevertheless Pools held firm thanks to some goalkeeping heroics and some help from the woodwork – here’s how our matchday reporter rated each players’ performance.
5. Alex Lacey: 6
Steady enough, albeit decidedly unadventurous and backward-looking, before pulling up with a hamstring strain that adds to his miserable luck with injuries and could end his season. Photo: Mark Fletcher
6. Nicky Featherstone: 6
Helped Pools dominate the ball in the first half with a typically metronomic performance on a plush pitch. Gave away the penalty in the second half through no real fault of his own after the ball was cannoned at him from close range. Photo: FRANK REID
7. Tom Crawford: 6
Had some nice moments and was involved in the goal but was not as influential as he might have hoped to be and the game largely passed him by in the second half. Photo: Frank Reid
8. Callum Cooke: 5
Another slightly below par showing from the attacking midfielder who spurned one very presentable opportunity in the second half, although he might justifiably argue that he met the ball on the up before blazing over the bar. Photo: Frank Reid