Franks On Target As Hartlepool Hold Hull

Summer signing Jonathan Franks was on target as Hartlepool United held Championship side Hull City at Victoria Park.

Neale Cooper named the same side for a third successive friendly, giving a strong indication of what his first team will be when the season gets underway.

Neil Austin fired over after a run forward in a first half of few chances, Sone Aluko's skybound effort at the other end was about as close at the visitors came.

Steve Howard proved a nuisance up front and should have done better when he headed over before later setting up Monkhouse for a good chance that was saved by the keeper as the sides went in level at the break.

Hull made the early running in the second half but it was Pools who broke the deadlock at the hour mark through Franks. A header from Howard found the former Middlesbrough man who struck past the Hull keeper.

Evan Horwood could have doubled the lead with a free kick just minutes later, his effort passed the wall but landed just the wrong side of the post.

Cooper made several changes in the second half, including giving another run-out to trialist Nathan Porritt, but his side were unable to hold on to their lead.

Jamie Devitt found space outside the area and unleashed a wicked shot towards goal, goalkeeper Scott Flinders got behind the effort but parried it to Tigers forward Cameron Stewart who slotted home to seal a draw for Steve Bruce's men.

FT: Hartlepool 1 Hull City 1

Hartlepool: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Franks (Luscombe 82), Walton, Sweeney (Murray 72), Monkhouse, James (Porritt 72), Howard (Poole 72)

Subs not used: McHugh, Holden, Baldwin

Hull City: Jakupovic, Bruce (Bradley 46), Dawson (Townsend 53), McKenna (Devitt 71), Faye (Fryatt 46), Cooper, Stewart, Cairney, Mclean (Simpson 77), Koren (Dudgeon 46), Aluko (Proschwitz 61)

Subs not used: Oxley, East, Cullen

Attendance: 900 (84 Hull City)

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