Hartlepool United 2-0 Notts County (National League) 22.02.20

Notts County suffered a dent in their promotion push as they were beaten at Hartlepool United.

The homeside went into action on the front foot from the beginning forcing Notts goalkeeper Joe McDonnell to save with his legs after just two minutes as Toure blasted low with Donaldson blazing over the rebound.

Two minutes later the Notts goalkeeper was called into action again as his sloppy pass went straight to Molyneux who shot straight back at him.

It was a busy afternoon for the on loan goalkeeper as on 17 minutes he then saved from Shelton diving to the right as he smothered a header towards goal.

Notts first chance came on 28n minutes when Wootton robbed Kitching of possession before firing over from a tight angle.

The homeside forced more of the momentum in tricky conditions as the Magpies were in the end relieved to get in at the break goalless.

That relief didn’t last long however as two minutes into the second half a cross by Featherstone seemed to catch the goalkeeper out floating in wind assisted to give the home team a fortuitous but deserved lead.

Notts pressured as Brindley struck low and hard but wide a minute later as Kelly-Evans struck a long range shot well over and as County began to enjoy possession a killer blow came when Pools netted a second when Featherstone’s free kick evaded everyone to nestle into the corner and give the striker his second of the afternoon.

That goal deflated the away side and Hartlepool might have made it three late on when Southam-Hales ran through and shot wide on an afternoon that very much otherwise went the way of the home team.

County: McDonnell, Rawlinson, Kelly-Evans, Doyle, Brindley, Long, Rose (Crawford 81), Roberts (Osborne 82), Wootton, Dennis (O’Brien 46), Boldewijn.

*Main image @Official_NCFC Notts beaten at the Victoria Ground in blustery conditions.