Hartlepool United 3 Huddersfield Town 1

Last updated : 10 March 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Hartlepool produced a shock result to give their survival hopes a massive boost and to condemn Huddersfield to a defeat that hit their promotion hopes.

The victory stretched Pools manager Paul Stephenson's unbeaten run to five games as his side finished up worthy winners of an exciting game.

In a hectic first half, there were plenty of chances as both teams scored spectacular goals, and also hit the woodwork.

Adam Boyd broke through first to give the home team the lead on 10 minutes, with a great finish from the edge of the area after a positive run from Richie Humphreys opened up the Town defence.

The visitors levelled on 22 minutes when David Graham curled a spectacular shot just inside the far post after cutting inside from the right.

Boyd hit the post with another good shot midway through the first period, but minutes later Andy Booth's header scraped the top of the home bar before going behind.

Either side of his goal, Graham had better chances, but he hit the first too weakly and allowed home keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos to save, while the second was rushed and again Konstantopoulos blocked.

After the break, Hartlepool were the better side, and they scored two great goals to prove it.

They had more appetite for the game as the cold wind blew rain into the faces of the Town defence.

On 52 minutes, young midfielder Michael Maidens saw his chance from wide on the right and curled a right-foot shot into the net off the far post from more than 25 yards.

That knocked Town's confidence, and while they had plenty of the ball, the chances dried up.

Eight minutes from time Hartlepool made sure when substitute Joel Porter marked his comeback, after being out injured all season, with another great finish, lashing his shot into the top corner after Chris Llewellyn's right-wing cross was dummied by Boyd in the middle.