Pools' Strong Pre-Season Continues With Boro Draw

Hartlepool United's pre-season continued its rapid improvement as Neale Cooper's side played out an enjoyable draw with neighbours Middlesbrough.

Cooper retained the same starting XI that beat Sunderland as Tony Mowbray's side came to town and, as in the game with the Black Cats, Pools opened the scoring early in the first half.

A cross from Luke James on the left found Antony Sweeney in the centre, with the midfielder converting past goalkeeper Leutwiler to give Pools the lead.

The visitors were level within 15 minutes as Scott McDonald fired past a helpless Scott Flinders and Boro took the lead before the break after some sloppy defending allowed Adam Reach to slot home from close range.

Boro changed all 11 players at the interval and Pools were able to carve out chances early in the second period through Steve Howard and Andy Monkhouse.

The equaliser finally came with less than ten minutes left on the clock as a perfect corner from former Boro player Jonathan Franks found Sam Collins in the centre who headed home past Connor Ripley.



FT: Hartlepool 2 Middlesbrough 2

Hartlepool: Flinders; Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Franks, Walton, Sweeney, Monkhouse, James (Poole 76), Howard.
Subs not used: Humphreys, Baldwin, Nish, Holden, McHugh.

Boro 1st half: Leutwiler; Smallwood, Hines, McManus, Hoyte, Haroun, Thomson, Correa, Reach, Ledesma, McDonald

Boro 2nd half: Ripley; Bailey, Friend, Williams R, Halliday, Castelan, Dudu, Leadbitter, Park, Williams L, Emnes. Sub not used: Main.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.