Vauxhall Motors 0 Hartlepool United 1

Nov 17 2010 The Journal

HARTLEPOOL United drove a path into the second round of the FA Cup, as they stepped up a gear in the second half to see off Vauxhall Motors last night.

James Brown, a second-half substitute, proved the matchwinner and the difference.

After Pool were somewhat laboured at times – and rather thankful that the home side failed to convert any of their three clear chances either side of half-time – Brown went some way to putting his injury problems to bed.

After only making his return to action on Saturday, after being out with an ankle injury since August, he last night bagged a clinical header to earn a home tie with Yeovil Town in round two.

Leon McSweeney almost set Gary Liddle up for an early opener, but his scuffed shot went across goal instead of finding his advancing team-mate.

In a bright and lively start from the League One outfit, who beat divisional leaders Brighton at the weekend, Andy Monkhouse was denied by a quick reaction stop from goalkeeper John Ritchie.

But the visiting side went equally close after defender Andy Nicholas jumped unchecked and headed a free-kick wide from eight yards.

Pool went closer still. After Gary Liddle was tripped 25 yards from goal, right-back Neil Austin curled his shot over the defensive wall and thudded it against the face of the crossbar.

But as half-time approached, Pool could count themselves fortunate not to fall behind.

Striker Obi Anorou found some room in behind left-back Evan Horwood and goalkeeper Jake Kean got a vital touch to knock the ball against the woodwork.

But from the following corner, the nippy striker was standing six yards from goal and hit against a defender.

And at the start of the new half he carried on doing it, somehow turning wide from close range before Kean made a vital low stop to keep out Mahon's low shot.

But a change to the Pool side lifted them, as substitute Brown curled a shot straight to Ritchie, who then stopped Neil Austin's effort from long range.

Armann Bjornsson then thought he had scored, but his header was stopped on the line by a pack of home defenders.

However, Brown did score soon after; Evan Horwood's cross was inviting for the substitute to plant a header into the net on 70 minutes.

Despite trailing and facing an exit, the Conference North side didn't put the resilient and organised visiting defence under pressure.

With Brown a constant threat and a real livewire, the visitors looked the most likely to score.

And they should have when Brown and Antony Sweeney worked an opening for Monkhouse.

He took his time, picked his spot, but shot low at the legs of goalkeeper Ritchie, who closed down the angle.

VAUXHALL MOTORS: Ritchie; Noone, Dames, Taylor, Nicholas; Mannix, Brown, Prince (Hannigan 88), Wilson; Anorou Mahon (Grice 85). Subs (not used): Wright, Smith, Brierley, Halligan, Mboa.

Booking: P Brown (foul, 90)

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Keane; Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood; Monkhouse, Sweeney, Liddle, McSweeney; Bjornsson (Gamble 81), Poole (Brown 56). Subs (not used): Mooney (gk), Haslam, Yantorno, Boyd, Murray.

Goal: Brown 70

Bookings: Horwood (foul 52), McSweeney (73, foul);

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Berkshire)