Hartlepool United vs Walsall. Sky Bet League One.
Suit Direct Stadium, Hartlepool UnitedAttendance5,170.
Saturday 13 August 2011 18:58, UK
Hartlepool and Walsall played out a 1-1 draw at Victoria Park after both were reduced to 10 men for more than half the game.
Pools' Nathan Luscombe and Andy Butler of Walsall were red-carded as both went in for a 50-50 ball. The Saddlers took a third-minute lead, Jon Macken slotting in low from the penalty spot after Paul Murray was guilty of putting a high boot in on Will Grigg. But it did not take Hartlepool long to level. From a long punt by goalkeeper Scott Flinders, opposite number Jimmy Walker was beaten by a wicked bounce and could only push the ball up in the air for striker Colin Nish to tap over the line. But then came the controversy as referee Paul Tierney flashed the cards on 42 minutes. Flinders save twice from Richard Taundry while Pools' beat chance came when substitute James Poole saw his shot kept out by Walker.
