Howard - goal

By Charlie Summerbell
October 3 2012

It's the result that counts, of course, but scorelines don't always tell the full story and Hartlepool United 1, Sheffield United 2 certainly falls into that category.

On the face of it, it was another defeat for a side struggling at the wrong end of the table and a win for an unbeaten side aiming for promotion.

But the truth is that the visitors scored with their only two real chances while Pools had the Blades defence under severe pressure for long periods and even a draw would have been cruel on the home team.

But when Paul Gallagher scored a winner two minutes from time it went way beyond that.

Steve Howard had scored his long overdue first goal of the season to level for Pools in the last quarter after Dave Kitson had given Danny Wilson’s team a first-half lead.

With three changes, Pools played with character and fight and boss Neale Cooper (right) was relieved to be giving them praise rather than criticism after the game.

"It was so much better, we created numerous chances and we were after a big reaction. It's not been good enough overall, but I'm so proud tonight,'' he told the Northern Echo.

"We were up for it from the word go all over the park. I made changes and the players who came in were very good.

"It was like watching an old Hartlepool team, like the one I used to have here. No-one is more fed up than me about our League position and, although we lost like that, I am so proud of them.

"We were unlucky not to score a couple, but they have showed what they are about. Supporters clapped their team off after losing - they can see what we are trying to do and they want to see that sort of effort.

"The players can be proud of this performance after things have been so negative. They have set the standard now and they have to keep it up. I wanted the players to show supporters what they are about - Hartlepool people will respect you for working and playing like that.''

That is true, of course, but having won back some respect, now Pools have to win back some points, starting on Saturday at Crewe, where they made such a mess of their League Cup game before the start of the League season.