Gary Ablett named the same eleven for the third consecutive game; the bench also contained the same seven names from Huddersfield on Saturday.

Pools boss Chris Turner also named an unchanged side following their 3-0 victory over Walsall at the weekend.

Former County favourite Leon McSweeney was on the bench for the game that created a little piece of Hatters history; the 125^th clash between the two old rivals means County have played more Football League games against the North-East outfit than any other club.

After a slow start with both teams sounding each other out, County shook Pools with two goals in a minute.

Michael Rose started the move on 16 minutes with a ball into the feet of James Vincent who squared it first time to Poole. The winger curled in a right-footed cross from the left wing, which Nicholas Bignall nodded past Scott Flinders.

The cheers had barely subsided when the Hatters struck again. Liam Bridcutt, lurking on the left wing, crossed to Michael Raynes who looped a brilliant header into the top corner.

To their credit the visitors responded well and looked to have pulled a goal back midway through the half when Andy Monkhouse powered a header towards the bottom corner. Owain Fon Williams, diving full length to his right, somehow turned the ball onto the foot of the post and Raynes completed the clearance - it was a brilliant save from the Welshman.

County should have made it 3-0 just before the break when Bignall got the better on Peter Hartley and rounded Flinders. His touch was a little too heavy, though, which allowed Sam Collins to make a desperate clearance.

Hartlepool came out positively after the break and, two minutes in, a five-man moved ended with a timely Mullins clearance.

And, just four minutes later, it was game on when Adam Boyd smashed the ball home from 14 yards to pull one back for the visitors.

Pools threatened again on the hour when Huntington came to County's rescue with a brilliant headed clearance from Neil Austin's cross.

The relentless pressure was eased for a moment when Bridcutt fed Poole who cut inside and shot wide midway through the half.

Pools came close again two minutes later when Denis Behan hit a fierce free kick just wide. The Irishman, who had already been booked, had to be dragged away by his skipper as he appealed vociferously for a corner; the referee could easily have given him another yellow card.

Michael Rose then popped up from under his own cross bar to somehow head a dangerous Monkhouse's cross away from goal.

The equaliser finally came 15 minutes from time when Ritchie Humphries' corner was helped onto Behan who flicked the ball past Fon Williams from close range.

Bridcutt came close to regaining County's advantage with a 25-yard drive that dipped just over as Hartlepool seemed to have settled for a point.

Baker then appealed for a penalty as his shot from the edge of the box was charged down. The ball broke to Mullins who blazed over.

And, with two minutes stoppage time played, the Hatters nearly snatched a dramatic winner. Baker hit a cross-field ball to Poole who burst into the box, his touch was a little heavy and Flinders was able to save at his near post.

The proverbial game of two halves and, in the end, a fair result.