Hartlepool United FC 1 - 0 Mansfield Town - Walker secures another Pools win

Posted Sunday, March 22, 2015 by PA

Brad Walker grabbed the only goal as Hartlepool continued their charge towards a League Two great escape by overcoming Mansfield.

Back-to-back away wins meant Pools, rooted to the foot of the table for the majority of the campaign, entered this clash just four points adrift of safety.

And they closed the gap to just one as Walker's penalty settled a game that saw Mansfield reduced to 10 men when Junior Brown was given his marching orders.

After a dire first half of few chances, Pools immediately took the lead early in the second period.

Man of the match Nicky Featherstone was rewarded for chasing a lost cause, working his way into the box following an interception before being pushed over by Lee Beevers.

Walker made no mistake from the spot, confidently sending Lenny Pidgeley the wrong way.

Mansfield's task was then made trickier when Brown was shown a straight red for a shocking studs-up challenge to the face of Walker.

The visitors responded superbly, only to be denied by three Scott Flinders saves - the best of which kept out Chris Clements' stunning 20-yard volley.