Report: Another Late Penalty Costs Pools Points

For the second game in a row, Hartlepool dropped points after conceding a late penalty, this time at Colchester

Jack Baldwin replaced the suspended Peter Hartley and Ritchie Humphreys was chosen over Luke James - who dropped to the bench - as Hartlepool travelled to Colchester.

Pools started the game brightly and took the lead within 20 minutes when neat play from Andy Monkhouse allowed Evan Horwood to whip the ball in towards Antony Sweeney, the midfielder heading home in style to give the visitors the lead.

There was a great chance to double the lead soon afterwards when Ryan Noble found himself with just the goalkeeper to beat, but the Sunderland loanee fluffed his effort wide of the target.

The game seemed like a typical end of season affair, with both sides coasting to the half time interval. But after the break the home side began to get into the game, with both Kem Izzet and Antony Wordsworth having good chances.

At the other end, Evan Horwood's free kick flew over the bar while Gary Liddle's effort from a corner was hacked off the line as Pools searched for a second.

But it was to be the home side who grabbed the next goal of the game as Paul Murray brought down substitute Gavin Massey in the area, and Freddy Sears converted from 12 yards.

Colchester pushed for a winner but were unable to find a way past Pools' defence. The result leaves Hartlepool three points behind the U's, ahead of Brentford's visit to Victoria Park on Easter Monday.

FT: Colchester 1 Hartlepool 1 Hartlepool: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Baldwin, Horwood, Sweeney, Murray , Liddle, Humphreys, Noble (James 77), Monkhouse

Subs not used: Rafferty, Haslam, Rowbotham, Boyd

Colchester: Williams, Rose, Okuonghae, Gillespie (Odejayi 46), Izzet, Sears, Henderson (Rowlands 46), Eastman Wilson, Wordsworth (Massey 71), Duguid
Subs not used: Bond, Odejayi, White

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