Brighton 0, Hartlepool 0

Nov 2 2009 The Journal

CHRIS Turner has his Hartlepool United side in the mid-table position he was hoping for at this stage of the season – now his task is to keep them there and move forward.

The Pool chief, director of sport at the club but manager in all but title, saw his side make it four games without loss after a non-stop 3-3 draw at Brighton.

It meant they fell one place in League One to 11th, but the platform is there for his side to shake off any threat whatsoever of being involved in another frantic scrap to stay in the division come May and instead look upwards.

“After scoring three goals away you expect to win – equally after conceding three you expect to lose – so I think a draw was a fair result after a very entertaining game, said Turner. “I was delighted with the spirit of the team to come back after going behind and although they put us under a lot of pressure we had chances to win the game as well.

“It was a great game, mistakes were made by both teams but isn’t that what football is all about?

The first mistake came from the home defence on six minutes. Adam Boyd was left unmarked to turn and drill in his 100th career goal.

His landmark, however, was overshadowed by five goals coming in 21 minutes, four before the half-time break, one later.

Liam Dickinson, the Brighton striker who Turner signed from non-league football during his time as Stockport chief, saw his shot cannon off Ritchie Jones, but it only went back into his path and his second effort bounced high off the turf and over stranded goalkeeper Scott Flinders.

Pool had been solid defensively, of late especially, and went into the game with three successive clean sheets to their name.

However, the way Nicky Forster was given time to slot in after the back four was cut open suggested otherwise.

With half-time beckoning, however, Pool turned it around.