Hartlepool United FC 2 - 2 Newport County: Hartlepool recover from whirlwind start to claim draw
Posted Sunday, August 28, 2016 by PA
Hartlepool overcame Toto Nsiala's third-minute red card to earn a deserved 2-2 Sky Bet League Two draw against Newport.
Nsiala's inexplicable handball, which came moments after Nicky Featherstone put Pools ahead, left Craig Hignett's men with a mountain to climb.
Yet the hosts showed great resolve after goals from Sean Rigg and Jon Parkin turned the tide, and earned a share of the spoils thanks to Padraig Amond's header.
A remarkable start brought two goals and a sending off inside the opening four minutes.
Featherstone volleyed Pools in front before Nsiala was given his marching orders, with Grigg firing home the resulting free-kick.
Newport moved ahead through Parkin's 27th-minute wonder goal, the striker chesting the ball down on the edge of the box and sending a spinning volley in off the inside of the post.
But Pools roared back and entered the break level after Amond converted Lewis Alessandra's corner.
Hignett's men were in the ascendancy following half-time, Nathan Thomas forcing two fine saves from Joe Day.
Newport enjoyed a spell of possession towards the end, but ultimately settled for a point.
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