IF only Hartlepool United could get their home form sorted.

Pool went to Leyton Orient on Saturday on the back of four successive home losses and a deflating October run of five defeats from six games.

Yet, with an away record of four wins and two draws from seven games, they displayed every characteristic demanded of their coach Mick Wadsworth.

They needed a penalty from Neil Austin to level the scores, but after being reduced to ten men for the closing 20 minutes when midfield anchorman Paul Murray was sent off for a second booking, they showed commendable spirit.

Pool and Wadsworth were disappointed with the referee’s decision, but regroup and kept the Os at arm’s length.

The home side, now eight unbeaten, were unable to breach the defence, in which the two central defenders, Peter Hartley and Sam Collins were at their best.

“We gave a little bit more hope than last week and had we played much more like this last Saturday we could have had a much better result,” reflected Wadsworth. “That’s not relative to the opposition as I think Orient are a very good team here, but we let ourselves down badly against Charlton.

“We are back on track hopefully and we’ve had some fantastic results away from home especially and now it’s something to build on.”

Pools thought they had took the lead on three minutes when a Peter Hartley header was cleared, but only after it seemed to have crossed the line and referee Craig Pawson and his linesman both waved play on despite Pool’s angry protestations.

Dean Cox put the Os ahead, a simple tap-in after winger George Porter tore away down the flank to create.

But Pool made chance after chance in the first half especially only to be denied by some last-ditch defending and saves from goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.

Andy Monkhouse won the levelling penalty, barged over in the area by Terrell Forbes and Austin scored with ease.

“We didn’t deserve to be one down and we caused them problems, ” said Wadsworth.

“We were the better side overall and looked like the ream we were in September. We hope it’s a turnaround game for us, it’s a new month and a new challenge, a new era. I was delighted with the players throughout the spirit came through again.”

LEYTON ORIENT: Alnwick, Smith, Cuthbert, Forbes, McSweeney, Porter, Dawson, Clarke, Cox, Cureton, Mooney. Subs (not used): Lovelock, Omozusi, Laird, Cestor, Odubajo. Booked: Cuthbert. Goal: Cox 23.

HARTLEPOOL: Flinders, Wright, Collins, Hartley, Humphreys (Liddle 46), Austin, Sweeney, Murray, Horwood (Brown 83), Poole (Luscombe 90), Monkhouse. Subs (not used): Rafferty, Boyd.

Sent Off: Murray (70). Booked: Murray.

Goal: Austin 54 pen.

Ref: Craig Pawson (S Yorkshire) Att: 4,424