Walton - pen

By Charlie Summerbell
September 16 2012

On the face of it, a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth isn't a bad return for Hartlepool United after one of their longest journeys of the League One season. But typically, there's a lot more to the story than  the scoreline for Pools.

Against the team described buy chief scout Paul Baker as the best he’s seen in League One so far this season, Pools packed their midfield, frustrated the home team and looked like taking all three points after a penalty in the last quarter o the game.

But Bournemouth left it even later – until the third minute of added time, when sub Matt Tubbs got the reward a lot of Bournemouth pressure suggested should have come a lot earlier.

Pools were battered for much of the game, but kept their shape and Simon Walton celebrated his return to the side after a disappointing start to the season by slotting in the pen after Evan Horwood was fouled in the area.

Walton said after the game that it felt like a defeat, but boss Neale Cooper was more philosophical.

“That’s football,” he told the club website.

“They players are all upset, but I’m not. We couldn’t hang on in the end, but there were plenty of positives today.

“We needed everyone to play to their maximum today and they gave everything. I feel for them and for the fans, but they saw a disciplined performance with plenty of fight.”

The performance should give Pools heart after their up-and-down start to the season, and they can hopefully go to Preston on Tuesday night feeling a lot better.”