Pools bounce back to earn place in draw GILLINGHAM 0 HARTLEPOOL 0
MATTHEW Bates is “over the moon” to see Hartlepool United in the hat for tomorrow night’s FA Cup draw after bouncing back to form at Gillingham where they earned a replay.
There is still much work to do for Pools to reach the second round of the world’s most famous club knock-out competition – the National League side will remain the underdogs when the clubs meet again at Victoria Park a week on Wednesday.
However, Bates believes his side proved they were equals of the home team and that they deserved a second crack at the League One team.
Pools certainly shaded matters at Priestfield, where keeper Scott Loach was hardly extended as Bates’ side registered a welcome clean sheet seven days after conceding four further along the road in Kent, at Bromley.
“I’m over the moon,” said the manager, who went into the game minus skipper Andrew Davies, and one of the players of the season so far, Peter Kioso.
“With our suspensions, we had a new shape more or less forced on us, and we didn’t have a great deal of time to work on it but the attitude of the lads and the way we played was magnificent. “I’m proud of the players. “There has been questions asked of them and they have been answered today.
“I thought we had all the better chances and I don’t think Scott has had a save to make.
“He’s come out for a couple of crosses but that was about it.”
Pools adopted a 4-4-2 formation instead of their regular 3-5-2 and it took them time to find a rhythm.
However, when they did, Pools looked accomplished going forward and, more importantly after conceding eight goals in three games, unruffled at the back, with Carl Magnay and Myles Anderson a formidable double act at the heart of the defence.
With Ryan Donaldson and Paddy McLaughlin impressing out wide, Liam Noble and Nicky Featherstone were excellent in the middle of the park.
Featherstone went wide with a shot after a slick move while Noble failed to convert the chance of the first round tie when he fired straight at Gills keeper Tomas Holy from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy.
Gillingham, booed off at the interval, came out with an added spark for the second half and had an instant attack which ended with Brandon Hanlan’s attempt going just wide.
It was a rare scare with Pools soon back into their attacking vein with Donaldson setting up Mark Kitching who saw his shot blocked while Holy saved from both Featherstone and Donaldson.
Noble was too high with a shot, while at the other end, the ineffective hosts produce little bar a shot from Mark Byrne from the edge of the area.
Gillingham will remain favourites but Pools, who saw a promising debut off the bench from on-loan Boro youngster Tyrone O’Neill, proved they have nothing to fear.