Around the grounds in the National Leagues
GARY Waddock believes Aldershot Town “looked a team” again after ending their away drought at Hartlepool United.
A superb second goal of the season by Matt McClure just after the hour gave the Shots their first point on their travels after equalising Niko Muir’s exquisite first-half opener.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Pools, who relinquished a lead at home for the third time to prevent them from returning to the top seven. But for the side who were challenging in the playoffs last season it was a welcome draw after six straight away defeats with sub Jake Gallagher agonisingly close to a last-minute winner.
“It should have been three points, we played very well,” said boss Waddock, who sees things coming together after their slow start to the National League programme.
“Hartlepool is always a hard place to come and they have made a good start to the season.
“But to go a goal behind and come back to get a point is something we’ve got to be pleased about.
“We looked a team, we’re not getting carried away, but the performances on Tuesday night and here have been very pleasing.”
To say the first half was a subdued affair would be an understatement. Andrew Davies headed over for the hosts from a 25th-minute corner and soon after, midfielder Michael Woods could not get in a clean shot after a neat one-two with Muir.
However, the same duo combined superbly in the 32nd minute when Muir applied a delicious finish with his left foot from 12 yards. In defence of Jake Cole, the sun may have got in his eyes, but Muir’s skill was delightful.
The Shots offered little, though it needed some good work by Pools keeper Scott Loach at the feet of McClure to deny the striker.
Pools had a further opportunity in stoppage-time but Luke James fired straight at Cole. Aldershot upped their game after the break and two great saves to his right by Loach thwarted Adam McDonnell.
Playing with energy, it looked inevitable the Shots would score, and the leveller duly arrived in the 62nd minute.
It all started with Cole; the skipper threw the ball out quickly and seconds later, the visitors got possession to the opposite box to McClure, whose sweetly-hit shot flashed past Loach.
Aldershot looked the likely winners and they almost snatched it at the end when sub Scott Rendell did well to set up Gallagher, whose overhead kick hit the crossbar with the officials ruling the ball did not bounce over the line.
Pools boss Matthew Bates said: “We weren’t at our best. We were lucky to be ahead. We still somehow managed to come away with a point, which was a positive.”