Monky - goal

By Charlie Summerbell
November 1 2009

If you want to measure the progress Hartlepool United have made this season, just look at the reaction to Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Brighton. Last season, an away draw anywhere would have been regarded as a major bonus, especially at Brighton where Pools always struggle to get results at the Withdean alleged Stadium.

But this season, a point from a game against a raggy side in a raggy stadium is regarded as two points dropped.
Brighton were disappointed enough to sack manager Russell Slade after the game, and the small band of Pools travelling fans were also probably disappointed because their side didn’t win after taking an early lead and going in 3-2 up at half-time.
It wasn’t a bad game at all, though there were too many defensive mistakes at both ends of the pitch.
However, Chris Turner was happy with a draw and quite rightly pointed out that it’s another unbeaten away game, though he refrained from mentioning the fact that conceding three goals to a poor team like Brighton is hardly the form of potential play-off contenders.
Let’s get it straight – we are not complaining about a point at a place where we have too often seen pools lose, just pointing out that we could have done better and that lout expectations are so much higher this season than they were last.
With Leon McSweeney taking over from James Brown wide on the right, Pools started well and Adam Boyd gave them a sixth-minute lead, but after Brighton fought back to go 2-1 up, Pools needed goals from Andy Monkhouse and Richie Jones to reclaim the lead in the dying minutes of the first half.

But soon after the break the usually water-tight Pools defence was opened up again as Brighton scored the goal that gave them a draw.