Jim Gannon decided not to risk Peter Thompson after his withdrawal from the Northern Ireland squad in midweek. Matt McNeil, fresh from his one match suspension, was due to replace the former Linfield man but an injury sustained in the warm-up meant Anthony Pilkington started in his place.
The two clubs have needed no introduction to one another over the years. This fixture meant that County have faced Hartlepool more times than any other club in their League history.
Former County boss and Jim Gannon's predecessor, Chris Turner, now Director of Sport at Victoria Park, paid tribute to his former club and in particular the Blue & White Army in his programme notes:
'I have to say that the supporters of Stockport County are some of the most loyal fans in the country. When times were hard for them a few years back, the supporters all kept right behind the Club and in fact, took over the Club with the Supporters Trust.'
With McNeil having limped out of the pre-match warm-up, Gannon elected to replace him with Pilkington, who adopted the lone striker role.
A scrappy start to the match saw Pools enjoy much the better of the early exchanges. Australian striker Joel Porter's third-minute header skimmed the crossbar with Owain fon Williams beaten, before left back Ritchie Humphreys shot wide from 18 yards soon after.
The Hatters' first shot on goal came courtesy of Carl Baker. However, he could only direct a tame long-range effort straight at Pools 'keeper Lee-Barrett. Moments later Pilkington, beginning to relish the added responsibility of his new role, made the former Coventry stopper work much harder as his low right footed effort was tipped wide by the sprawling Lee- Barrett in the 12th minute.
Despite the long playing surface, both sides were playing enterprising, passing football and an entertaining game ensued.
Pools midfielders Ritchie Jones and Gary Liddle were both booked in quick succession for late tackles. Former Manchester United youngster Jones was keen to try his luck from long range on several occasions, and it was his ferocious left foot drive was superbly tipped over by fon Williams after 25 minutes.
Moments later intricate play from Pilkington and Baker on the left saw the ball break for Baker. The Hatters were sure they had a penalty when Baker's cross clearly struck Michael Nelson on the arm, however referee Mr. Salisbury ignored all protests and waved play on.
Pools then had the chance of the game when Porter's cross evaded fon Williams, leaving 21-year old James Brown with an open goal. He thought he had scored with a firm drive from 12 yards but the Welshman had other ideas and he threw himself to the right to make a quite brilliant save.
The home side began to assert their dominance on the game as the second half drew to a close. fon Williams continued to excel himself between the posts as he firstly saved Liddle's effort on 33 minutes, then produced a stunning close range save to his left from Andy Monkhouse following Porter's flick-on.
The first substitution of the game came when Mullins' robust but fair challenge forced Pools chief Danny Wilson to replace Willie Boland with former Nottingham Forest youngster Alan Power. Power might have done better from the edge of the area with his first touch but could only fire wide.
Stephen Gleeson, who was forming an impressive partnership with Mullins, had County's last effort of the first period when his right footed drive sailed just wide. The magnificent County fans, no doubt fondly remembering the Irishman's fine volley at Wycombe, thought he had scored.
Mr. Salisbury brought an end to a very entertaining first 45 minutes in which fon Williams had been the busier 'keeper but the Hatters had had chances of their own and will hold high hopes of getting their first victory of the League One campaign.
During the interval Leon McSweeney was brought on in a straight swap for Mullins at right back who had injured his knee in the robust challenge with Bolland.
The Hatters started the second half brightly, enjoying their first sustained spell of pressure in the game. McNulty's cross saw the diminutive Rowe, not renowned for his aerial prowess, rise above everyone else, but his header was comfortably saved by Lee-Barrett.
On the hour mark Rowe was close to breaking the deadlock. Once again McNulty's cross from the left caused trouble amongst the home defence, and it was headed only as far as Rowe, whose right footed shot thundered against the crossbar. The Hatters were definitely in the ascendancy.
Pools had provided a feast of goals for their home support in their previous two games at Victoria Park, putting seven goals past Colchester and Scunthorpe. Therefore the home fans were clearly frustrated by their inability to break down the resolute County defence.
It was only in the last 15 minutes that Wilson's side began to assert themselves in the second period. Monkhouse saw his header float wide of the post, before United won the first of a series of corners. Firstly Porter's left footed strike was deflected into the side netting off Gaz Owen, before the resulting corner fell for the Australian again, but his acrobatic overhead kick went just wide.
There was momentary respite for the Hatters when Gleeson headed well wide, but Pools were soon camped in the County half again. Yet another corner was flicked on and striking prodigy Brown brought a smart save out of fon Williams. Brown, who has been attracting the interest of several clubs, caused the Hatters defence trouble all afternoon. Danny Wilson shared the home fans' impatience and threw a third striker into the fray, in the form of ex-Macclesfield and Mansfield targetman Ritchie Barker. County survived another series of corners despite sustained pressure and the home support baying for blood.
Just as the game seemed to be drifting to the Hatters' third successive draw of the season, and with the home fans already streaming for the exits, Rowe enhanced his growing reputation with a 93rd minute winner. The excellent McNulty found Glesson who drove forward from the left, before feeding Rowe on the edge of the area. Showing nimble feet, the 19-year=old weaved his way into the area before firing his second goal of the season into the bottom corner, sending the onlooking 401 away fans into pandemonium behind the goal.
There was barely time for Pools to kick off again before Mr. Salisbury signalled the end of the game, and County's first victory of the season.
