The magic of the FA Cup! A freezing January night in Boston, with a far from glamour tie up for grabs.

But Hartlepool United secured a passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup and a trip to Brentford and you won't find anyone at Victoria Park devaluing the merits of the oldest cup competition in the world.

Pool have only reached the fourth round on four previous occasions and at London Road a week on Saturday they have a decent opportunity to make history.

Brentford boss Martin Allen was watching from the stands last night and he will have noted Pool's battling qualities.

Pool lost in London to Allen's side this season, but this team is now a decent one away from home.

Last night they battled for every loose ball in a nail-biting finale.

Adam Boyd was the match winner, his curling shot sending Pool through.

It was a great piece of skill from the striker, who spent three months on loan at Boston last season, and all the sweeter as he missed the last-kick-of-the-match penalty at Victoria Park 12 days ago which meant the teams had to try again.

Without both Joel Porter and Eifion Williams, who are both suffering from mumps, Hugh Robertson and Andy Appleby were given starting roles.

Robertson had recovered from a foot injury that kept him out of last weekend's win at Torquay, while Appleby was making his first start after a string of impressive substitute outings, which have yielded two goals.

Pool were angered at Boston's dressing room reaction to the Victoria Park draw and Cooper vowed that their celebrations would return to haunt them.

Five mintues in and Tony Sweeney tore away from the defenders on the right and fired a shot inches across the far post.

It was a full-blooded start to the game and neither side was taking any chances, with plenty of strong, agricultural clearances from both defences.

Pool were quickly trying to find Appleby, looking for passes in between the three central defenders, but they often sailed through - aided by a strong wind - to keeper Nathan Abbey.

Ritchie Humphreys teed up a Jack Ross cross for Sweeney and his first-time drive was deflected wide for Pool's first corner, which came to nothing.

Andy Kirk, coveted by a handful of Championship clubs, bundled Micky Nelson off the ball and his lob drifted into the hands of Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Boston won a free-kick on the touchline that Nelson firmly headed away. The corner was collected by Konstantopoulos and his long punt led to Pool's second corner.

Boyd floated it over and Westwood's appeals for a penalty after a push were ignored.

Ben Clark played in Williams' right-wing spot but showed he is no winger as he played two crosses out of play.

His value was in sitting in and stopping the lively Thomas from using his pace to attack down the flank.

Clear chances were a rare commodity in the first-half and the home side were given a standing ovation as they went off at the break.

Kirk tested Konstantopoulos for the first time when he cut into the area and shot low at the keeper. When he tried the same trick seconds later, Humphreys got in a vital block.

Ross fouled Thomas on the goal line and, after Appleby was booked for preventing a swift free-kick, the dead ball was moved nearer goal.

The ball was floated over and Greg Strong's header was comfortable for the Pool keeper.

Chances remained at a premium and, just as in the first game, Boston skipper Paul Ellender was winning every long ball that came his way. But a combination of Konstantopoulos and Ross stopped a certain goal on 67 minutes. A deep corner found its way to Kirk and he smashed a low, angled volley that the pair kept out at the foot of the post.

Pool were sloppy with their clearances and passing and were in need of a break.

Nelson lost his footing and allowed Kirk in and Noble's low shot was stopped by the big Greek keeper. When the loose ball came back in, Pool were thankful of a deflection that took it out of play.

But, with their first chance of the half, Pool were in the lead.

Ross and Clark found Boyd on the right. He turned Ellender, cut inside and unleashed a low drive that nestled into the far corner of the net as keeper Abbey stood motionless.

Boyd's tail was up and, full of confidence, he tried the same from the other side of the pitch, this time rifling his drive inches wide of goal.

Robertson tried his luck with a trademark 35-yard free kick but it was straight at Abbey.

On came veteran front-man Jason Lee for the home side, another big target to aim for.

But Pool should have had a penalty on 85 minutes when Steven Istead, on for Appleby, was felled by Lee Beevers in the area.

In the final minute, Boston won a corner and Ellender's firm volley was kept out by Konstantopoulos.

With seconds to go, Kirk bundled the ball home, only for the assistant referee to flag him offside.

It was Pool's night as they made it nine games unbeaten.

Result: Boston United 0 Hartlepool United 1.

Read more about Hartlepool here.