Hartlepool hit back at the death to stun Walsall

Posted Sunday, February 26, 2023 by PA

Two last-gasp goals earned Hartlepool an unlikely 3-3 home draw with Walsall.

Pools, under new boss John Askey, trailed 3-1 in the 90th minute before salvaging an unlikely point.

After replacing the sacked Keith Curle in midweek, Askey engineered a dramatic lift for the third-bottom hosts.

Walsall beat Pools, then managed by Paul Hartley, 4-0 on the opening day of the season and this game had seemed just as comfortable until the final moments.

The visitors took the lead after 34 minutes as Tom Knowles found space and fired a low drive into the corner.

Hutchinson made it two after 48 minutes, cracking in a fine, rising shot from 20 yards after defender Tyler Foran slipped.

Pools got one back in the 56th minute, loan signing Dan Kemp rolling in a low penalty, but their hopes were soon dashed again as substitute Mouhamed Niang slipped in the area, allowing Mathew Stevens to pick his spot.

However, Kemp got a second penalty in the 90th minute to set up a grandstand finish and, when a long free-kick from David Ferguson was not cleared, Connor Jennings headed home from close range to stun the Saddlers.