Story of the day: Hartlepool United 2-4 Maidenhead United – 10 men Magpies end Pools' title hopes

Hartlepool United suffered their first defeat in over five months at Victoria Park as 10-man Maidenhead United secured a comfortable 4-2 win.
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A hat-trick for Alan Massey and another for Danilo Orsi saw the visitors end Pools’ 13 game unbeaten run at Victoria Park as a sublime Rhys Oates solo goal and a late consolation from Danny Elliott weren't enough.

Ryheem Sheckleford was sent off in the first half for Maidenhead but that didn’t stop the visitors securing a comfortable win.

Refresh the page and scroll through our live blog to see how events unfolded...

Maidenhead United's Sam Barratt celebrates after scoring his second goal and their third goal  during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Maidenhead United at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 8th May 2021. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Maidenhead United's Sam Barratt celebrates after scoring his second goal and their third goal  during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Maidenhead United at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 8th May 2021. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Maidenhead United's Sam Barratt celebrates after scoring his second goal and their third goal during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Maidenhead United at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 8th May 2021. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

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FULL-TIME: Hartlepool United 2 (Oates 28, Elliott 86) Maidenhead United 4 (Orsi 15, Barratt 38, 47, 55)

Key Events

  • Pools XI: Ravas; Sterry, Odusina, Johnson, FergusonShelton, Featherstone, Holohan; Molyneux, Saunders, Oates
  • Pools subs: Donaldson, Francis-Angol, Cass, Williams, Elliott.
  • Pools bookings: Ferguson (66), Johnson (90)
  • Maidenhead XI: Lovett; Massey, Wells, Parry, Sheckleford, Wiltshire, Sparkes, Ince, Compley, Barratt, Orsi
  • Maidenhead subs: Egan, Keetch, Coley, Smith, Kelly
  • Maidenhead bookings: Wiltshire (3), Comley (18)
  • Maidenhead sendings off: Sheckleford (42)
  • Referee: Martin Woods

RED CARD! Maidenhead down to 10

Maidenhead are down to 10 men as Ryheem Sheckleford is shown a straight red following a challenge on Saunders.

GOAL! Maidenhead retake the lead

Orsi breaks through again before playing the ball across goal to Barratt who can’t miss.

Against the run of play and a big blow from Pools’ perspective.

GOAL! Maidenhead retake the lead

Orsi breaks through again before playing the ball across goal to Barratt who can’t miss.

Against the run of play and a big blow from Pools’ perspective.

37: Saunders off the bar!

The corner is headed off the bar by Saunders.

36: Ferguson with a solo effort now!

Ferguson runs from the halfway line into the Maidenhead box before getting a shot away which Lovett is equal to.

GOAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!! WHAT A STRIKE FROM OATES!!!!!!!

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Rhys Oates has just beat four players, turned another and smashed the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Another goal of the season contender from the Pontefract Messi.

23: Saunders shoots wide

Ferguson’s cross from the left is turned just past the left post by Saunders. Good chance.

Molyneux strikes the post from 20-yards. Good effort.

18: Comley picks up a booking for Maidenhead

A late challenge on Ryan Johnson sees the referee brandish the yellow.

15: GOAL! Maidenhead take the lead

Orsi breaks free once again and this time makes no mistake as he passes the ball into the bottom right corner.