Hartlepool United 1, Aldershot Town 1

THIS draw may have come within inches of being a first away win of the season but, for The Shots, merely avoiding defeat was a small victory in itself after six consecutive losses on the road.

Matt McClure’s superb finish illuminated a spirited second-half fightback from Gary Waddock’s team and, even though they were denied further reward as Luke Howell’s late overhead kick crashed down off the crossbar onto the goal-line, it was a thoroughly deserved point after their best away performance to date.

“We’ve played very, very well,” concurred Waddock who, as with defeat against Maidstone United four days prior, felt that his team warranted more from the match against a Pools side who have now drawn three home matches in succession but lost just one of seven at Victoria Park.

“I think we should have gone on to win the game but to get back into it was pleasing, and to put in a (second-half) performance like that was very encouraging. If we keep playing like this, we’re going in the right direction.”

Luke Wanadio’s rising, angled drive was the only opportunity of the first quarter, and the erstwhile porous Shots back four – featuring right-back Marvin McCoy for the first time, following injury – played their part in a pleasingly low-key opening period.

Defender Andrew Davies headed powerfully over the crossbar on 25 minutes, and seven minutes later Pools snatched the lead. Scott Loach’s long clearance sparked a bout of head tennis which culminated in Michael Woods finding Niko Muir inside the box to lob a shot across Jake Cole into the far corner.

Yet, even though they had again fallen behind, it was crucial that this time Aldershot Town didn’t capitulate, as on recent visits to Wrexham and Fylde.

Adam McDonnell’s curling chip across goal on 57 minutes, superbly tipped away by Loach, heralded The Shots’ best spell of the game. Soon, Loach was parrying McDonnell’s drive from the right corner of the penalty area and, on 61 minutes, a lethal counter attack brought them level.

Cole saved Luke James’ long-range effort and immediately sent McDonnell bursting over the halfway line. Jake Gallagher, breaking forward in support, was then invited to slip a deft pass into the box from which McClure lifted a first-time shot across Loach.

McClure then fired over from 20 yards and George Fowler glanced a header wide, but Hartlepool briefly reasserted themselves with a spell of pressure to quell resurgent Aldershot Town’s fire.

Still, though, they could have won the game in the 89th minute. McClure’s deep cross from a tight position by the corner flag was nodded back into the middle by Scott Rendell and fellow substitute Luke Howell whipped an overhead kick against the crossbar from five yards.

Stifled claims that the ball bounced down over the line were dismissed, but nonetheless The Shots could claim the solace of a hard-fought draw which points toward a brighter future away from the EBB Stadium.

Hartlepool United: Loach, Donaldson, Kioso, Featherstone, Magnay (Anderson 85), Davies, Kitching, Noble, Muir (Hawkes 63), Woods (McLaughlin 63), James. Subs (not used): Newton, Dinanga.

Aldershot Town: Cole; McCoy, Fowler, Lelan, Kinsella; Booty, McDonnell, May (Howell 77); Wanadio (Rendell 60), McClure, Berkeley-Agyepong (Gallagher 29). Subs (not used): Bernard, Legg

Attendance: 3,251.