James Brown - winner

By Clarence Rode
October 18 2008

They say you should set yourself challenges in life, and that's certtainly what Hartlepool United are doing in League One this season. But it's not climbing mountains or white water rafting they go in for - it's allowing their opponentns to establish a match-winning lead, then fighting back for a result in the second half.

They've done it three times in the last four games now, following home 3-3 draws against Oldham and Swindon with as match-winning revival at walsall that earned them their first win in six matches and only their second away win of the season.
They scored their goals in 11 minutes during the last quarter, Antony Sweeney (right) claiming the first, Matty Robson blasting the second after setting up Sweeney's goal, then Sweeney himself crossing for James Brown to head the winner six minutes from time.
The victory itself was badly needed and perfectly timed just a day after manager Danny Wilson said that he felt his players were on the verge of getting it right on their travels.
He was only partly correct, though, because Pools started their game very badly and gave the two Walsall goals away with some p***-poor defending.
Fortunately, the fightback was enough for the win, and hopefully enough to silence the clever dicks amongst the travelling fans who groaned as subs Robson and David Foley were sent on midway through the second half.
At 2-0 down, Wilson had to do something, and as it turned out - not for the first time this season - his substitutions worked perfectly.
Players like Robson and Foley never give less than 100 per cent, often turn defeats into draws or wins, and do not deserve to have their professionalism, dedication and effort questioned by people whose only knowledge of football is from watching it on the telly.
They may not be the best players in the world, but they deserve to be allowed to get on with their trade.