MK Dons 2 Hartlepool United 2

Aug 7 2011 Sunday Sun

POOLS left Milton Keynes aggrieved after being denied victory – but can be more than pleased with their opening day’s work.

They led 2-1 going into injury time thanks to goals from James Poole and Adam Boyd, but substitute Jabo Ibehere deflected a cross into the net from close range and Pools headed back up the M1 with one point instead of three.

Poole’s goal – the striker netted once on loan from Man City last season before signing permanently this summer – came with five minutes remaining.

Taking the ball from Nathan Luscombe, he was invited to run at the home defenders. First he went around Sam Williams and past Gary Mackenzie before beating goalkeeper David Martin from close range.

But it wasn’t to be and Pools opened their campaign with a draw at Stadium: MK. Jay O’Shea crossed from the right and Ibehere admitted he didn’t know much about it when the ball bounced off him and wrong-footed goalkeeper Scott Flinders.

“It is a good result for us,'” reflected Mick Wadsworth. “Overall you’ve got to be happy with a draw. We got a goal late on and looked set for a win, got ourselves in great shape to go on and win the game. We scored two terrific goals, showed what we can do, and it’s been a good start to the season for us.'” The home side started brightly and Evan Horwood deflected a shot on to the bar on nine minutes and Scott Flinders had already been called into action.

Four minutes had gone when Horwood was caught out by Powell and the goalkeeper was off his line to clear with his legs. But the first time Pools got into the home area they scored.

Andy Monkhouse and Horwood carved open the defence. The left back crossed to the far post where Boyd headed home.

Fellow striker Colin Nish could have made it two. Neil Austin’s cross was met by the frontman but he stretched to head over from close range. Flinders saved a Luke Chadwick chip before the half was out to keep the lead.

But he was beaten by Chadwick on 53 minutes. He was given the chance to shoot from 18 yards and picked his spot to curl into the far side of the net.

Pools defended well and Poole’s effort looked enough, before Ibehere levelled.

SCOTT FLINDERS7

Busy and alert all afternoon

NEIL AUSTIN7

A typically rugged show at full-back

PETER HARTLEY 7

Stood up to the task well in the back four

SAM COLLINS8

Again showed why he is Pools’ captain

EVAN HORWOOD 6

Powell caused problems at times

NOBBY SOLANO 6

Neat and tidy in possession

GARY LIDDLE7

Big responsibility in midfield and stood up to it

ANTONY SWEENEY6

Attacking instincts curtailed a little bit

ANDY MONKHOUSE 6

Went through a lot of unnoticed work

COLIN NISH6

Should have scored on his debut

ADAM BOYD6

Deserved to open account after hard work

Subs: Luscombe (for Solano 59), Murray (for Boyd 62), Poole (for Nish 82)

Not used: Rafferty (gk), Humphreys

BOOKED: Murray (unsporting behaviour 90)

MK DONS: Martin; Chicksen (O'Shea 86), Mackenzie, Williams, Lewington; Balanta, Potter, Gleeson, Powell (Bowditch 68), Chadwick (Ibehere 75); Baldock. Subs (not used): McLoughlin, Flanagan.

Booked: Balanta (foul 45), Murray (unsporting behaviour 90), Gleeson (unsporting behaviour 90)

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex) 7