Verdict: Hartlepool United's 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood keeps the play-off push alive as focus switches to Solihull Moors clash

Hartlepool United bounced back from an opening minute set-back to draw 1-1 with Boreham Wood at Meadow Park on Saturday thanks to a Gime Toure strike and Ben Killip penalty save.

Dave Challinor’s side went into the match in good form having picked up consecutive victories without conceding.

But any momentum they carried into the match was instantly halted by The Wood as Kabongo Tshimanga pounced on Matt Rhead’s saved header to give the hosts the lead inside the first minute.

Calls for offside were waved away as Pools now had to bounce back from a nightmare start.

Tshimanga, Rhead and Sorba Thomas, in particular, were causing all sorts of problems for the previously solid Hartlepool back-line as they were left badly exposed at times.

Pools’ ability to shoot themselves in the foot threatened to be on full display at Meadow Park as the hosts were being handed numerous chances that they failed to take. They should have extended their lead further by half-time with Rhead, Tshimanga and Tyrone Marsh all coming close.

Pools were fortunate to still be in the game but had a great chance to go in level at the break as some fine work from Mark Kitching and Toure down the left helped set-up Mark Shelton, who was denied by a fine stop from Nathan Ashmore in the Boreham Wood goal.

The Hertfordshire outfit’s failure to put the game to bed cost them a victory at Victoria Park back in November and it would prove to be the same again on Saturday as, just moments into the second half, Toure brought Pools level.

The Frenchman smashed the ball with his left foot into the left side of the goal to make it 1-1 and all of a sudden, it was game on.

The strike was something of a catalyst for an improved second half display from the visitors, who still seemed intent on making things difficult for themselves at times.

Pools hadn’t won a match away from home since their 5-1 demolition of Chesterfield back in November, it was also the last time Toure scored from open play as he ended a three month drought.

But their chances of picking up a win this time out were seemingly dashed as Nicky Featherstone was penalised for handball inside the penalty area.

The threatening Thomas, who scored from the penalty spot in the reverse fixture at The Vic, stepped up once again. But a casual run-up and tame effort made things easy for Killip, who made as straightforward a save as you’re likely to see from a spot-kick.

Despite that set-back, Boreham Wood still looked the more likely team to go on and snatch a winner. Mark Ricketts came within inches of scoring a goal of the season contender as his 20-yard volley cannoned back off the Hartlepool crossbar.

At the other end, Pools had a strong penalty shout turned down themselves as Macauley Southam-Hales was pushed over inside the area. Referee Joe Hull, who had been awarding free-kicks for pushes all afternoon, was quick to turn the appeals down and give a goal kick to The Wood.

That proved to be the last meaningful incident in the match as the sides had to settle for a point that neither helps nor significantly hinders their respective play-off pushes.

Challinor said that it’s the small moments inside either box that ultimately decide matches and what goes on in between is sometimes irrelevant as the result is all that matters.

Nicky Featherstone was unable to influence the match as usual after being effectively marked out of the game. Luke Molyneux was moved into a more central position and it just didn’t work as the youngster was hauled off shortly after half-time.

The centre-back partnership of Gary Liddle and Timi Odusina had kept three clean sheets in four matches going into the game but struggled against Boreham Wood’s frontline.

Players are going to have off days. But when a few players aren’t quite at it and you’re still able to grind out a point away against one of the best sides in the division – it has to be seen as a big positive.

It’s a result that keeps the momentum building and their hopes of a play-off place alive. Pools know they will play better, much better, but they can take confidence from the fact they’ve been able to come away with a result from a game where they literally couldn’t have got off to a worse start.

The 334 Poolies in attendance stuck by the team throughout and their efforts were reciprocated by the players at full-time.

Things have turned around for Pools and they now find themselves three points off the play-offs and still with an opportunity to do something special.

There are 10 games left for Pools and Challinor has targeted seven more wins, but to do that they will need to address their form away from home.

The cliche that the most important game is always the next one certainly rings true ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Solihull Moors.

A very good point on Saturday could look even better if it’s backed up by three at Damson Park.