The only change for County saw the injured Adam Proudlock make way for Keith Briggs.

Hartlepool included former County stars Jon Daly and Ali Gibb in their starting line-up. Meanwhile former skipper, Rithcie Humphreys returned to the side following his loan spell at Port Vale.

County's first chance of the game came when Tony Dinning thread the ball through to find Tes Bramble, but the big man could not put enough control on the ball to punish the Pool's backline.

Adam Le Fondre, who continually looked sharp had a chance moments later when he pounced onto a poor Nelson header. However, Pools keeper, Konstantopoulos was equal to it.

Tes Bramble made a wonderful run in the 22nd minute, holding the ball up for the County frontline. However his good work came to little fruition when he collided with former County man Ali Gibb.

Some wonderful football from County moments later, with six or seven passes eventually saw Jason Taylor find Tony Dinning in space and the skipper launched a wonderful low shot at goal  that Greek keeper, Konstantopoulos did well to save.

County's dominance continued when a deep cross from vice-captain Keith Briggs found Griffin in space but the former Oldham man could not get to the ball and another chance went begging.

Seconds later Ben Clark pulled off a wonderful save to deny Keith Briggs a gilt-edged chance when he ghosted in at the far post from a County free-kick.

GOAL! County took a well-deserved lead on the 29th minute when Adam Griffin put a wicked corner ball into the box and the usual dependable Hartlepool keeper palmed into his own goal.

The game opened up after this when both sides had an opportunity to score, Hartlepools best chance came when two former County players linked up. Gibb put in a good cross for Daly, but John Ruddy was equal to the big man.

Adam Griffin made a wonderful last ditch tackle to deny Ali Gibb a good goalscoring opportunity when he found himself one on one with John Ruddy.

There were calls for a Monkey Hanger's penalty when Ashley Williams bundled Joel Porter over in the box but the referee turned it away much to the disgust of the North East crowd.

GOAL! Hartlepool were on level terms when County let in a disastrous goal on the 43rd minute when Matty Robson beat John Ruddy on the far post, having beaten Keith Briggs.

Second Half

Hartlepool were denied another penalty when Gareth Owen appeared to take Joel Porter's legs just inside the area, however the referee again turned away the protests to the delight of the County faithful.

Some good work from Jason Taylor found Adam Le Fondre in space and the young striker found Briggs, who wasted a good opportunity on the 53rd minute.

Alfie, full of confidence, produced a mazy run on the 55th minute, however he had little support and went alone and his shot went just wide of the far post.

At the other end, goalscorer and their man of the match Matty Robson pulled off a wonderful strike that evaded Ruddy but luckily bounced just wide.

Seconds later Jon Daly chested the ball down for Joel Porter and from just 10 yards out he volleyed high and wide.

Hartlepool on top now, forced a number of corner balls that threatened to put the home sides noses in front. Thankfully though the County defence stood firm.

County's best chance of the second half came when Tesfaye Bramble produced some wonderful football to cross for Adam Le Fondre, but the ball was too powerful for the young striker to control and the chance went begging.

Late on two of County's subs linked up when Liam Dickinson found Damian Allen in space and the returning midfielder produced a good cross that Tony Dinning, the skipper crossed for Poole who went desperately wide.

County were now hanging on for a point, but that could have been even better when David Poole found himself in a good goalscoring opportunity, but he left the ball too late and in the end the chance went begging.

In the dying moments the impressive Michael Maidens went desperately close with only John Ruddy to beat, he shot pst the right hand post.

Seconds later Ruddy pulled off a wonderful save to deny Foley a last minute goal, when the on loan man pushed the ball on to the woodwork and out.

Liam Dickinsons temperament go the better of him yet again when on the 90th minute he threw the ball over the keepers head, after being found offside. Gannon was furious.

Deep into stoppage time the impressive, David Poole made a good run and shot at the Hartlepool keeper.

In the end it was a well deserved point for County, who stood firm and held off a great amount of pressure in the second half.

Bring on the Gulls!

Man of the Match: Rob Clare. Solid as a rock.

County: Ruddy, Williams, Griffin, Clare, Owen, Poole, Briggs (Allen 78), Taylor, Dinning, Bramble (Dickinson 76) , Le Fondre,

Subs: Spencer, Robinson, Malcolm

Booked: Bramble 12, Dickinson 90

Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Gibb (Maidens 49), Boland (Foley 86), Liddle, Robson, Daly, Porter (Bullock 90)

Subs: Provett, Brackstone

Booked: Daly 11, Barron 70

Ref: M.Pike

Att: 4,372