By Eggy_Poolie
May 7 2007

Hartlepool came within 4 minutes of winning the league two title. Ricky Lamberts 86th minute goal and a last minute goal for Walsall guarenteed that the title went to the Bescot and not the Vic.

The Vic was packed to capacity and the atmopshere was buzzing as the players walked out. The game got off to a lively start. Bristol came to win and showed their intent from off. Ricky Lambert smashed a shot over the bar and Lewis Haldane had a shot comfortably saved by Dimi.

Hartlepool came back into the game with Tony Sweeney and Joel Porter both coming close. Willie Boland had the best shot of the opening minutes when his dipping shot from outside the area was just tipped over by the Rovers keeper.

Hartlepool finally took the lead after 30 minutes. Some good play from the midfield on the edge of the area resulted in Sweeney playing a sweet through ball for Porter who controlled and placed it into the back of the net to send Pools top of the league and the fans into raptures.

At half time Hartlepool were 1-0 up and Walsall were 1-0 down meaning Pools were top.

Just 10 minutes into the second half the referee gave Bristol a penalty. Willie Boland made the challenge in the box. It did appear that he won the ball and after watching it on telly it also looked like he won the ball but the spot kick was scored and it was 1-1. It wasnt all bad news for Pools though as news had just came through that Swindon were winning so it wasnt just the Bristol fans celebrating.

Wilson brought on Michael Mackay for his debut and he almost put Pools back in front within minutes but his shot went just wide of the post and then Foley came even closer when his effort crashed off the crossbar

Michael Mackey then got the ball into the back of the net but the linesman ruled it out for ofside and with the reaction from the Cyril Knowles and Mill House stand it appeared that the linesman may have got the decision wrong.

It looked like the title was coming to the Vic but with only 4 minutes left Ricky Lambert got his head on a cross from the right to head Bristol in front and to send the Pools fans into total silence.

In the end it just wasnt to be but a fantastic season for all Poolies has finished with promotion back to League 1