HARTLEPOOL United were knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy on penalties last night.

As at Cheltenham, when they lost in the Division Three play-offs two seasons ago, a spot-kick hitting the bar proved decisive.

Unlike in the Carling Cup at Sheffield Wednesday, Pool didn't convert all their spot-kicks after 120 thrilling minutes ended with the score 3-3.

Paul Robinson's shot, Pool's first, was kicked on to the bar by keeper Les Pogliacomi and the home side beat Anthony Williams with all five of their efforts.

The Pool fans who stayed at home - there were only 103 at Boundary Park - missed a treat as the game far exceeded the reputation of the competition.

Three times Pool fell behind, three times they came back.

Last season, Pool were thumped 5-0 at Tranmere as a reserve side took to the field. This time a full-strength XI gave everything, and their fitness levels never waned.

The only change Neale Cooper made was to restore Williams in goal for the first time since the opening day of the season. And after five minutes his first duty was to pick the ball out of the net.

Marc Tierney swung over a cross from the right and Calvin Zola turned a header past Williams from eight yards. Zola, on loan from Newcastle, has netted four times in eight starts since making his Latics' bow in last month's goalless draw at Victoria Park.

Williams' namesake and fellow countryman hit the heights after 12 minutes. The striker picked up a harmless-looking ball around 25-yards out to unleash a fierce dipping volley over the head of Les Pogliacomi into the net.

Williams then produced a fine block to keep out a strong close-range shot from Ernie Cooksey.

Mark Tinkler started in the middle of a three-man defence, but Pool soon switched to a flat back four and Tinkler, after an immense show last week against Sheffield Wednesday, was restored to midfield.

Yet Pool were behind after 21 minutes. After a corner stayed in the penalty area, Scott Vernon was all alone in the six-yard box and with no offside flag coming, he had all the time he needed to apologetically poke beyond Williams.

Normally a free-kick within shooting distance is snapped up by Gavin Strachan. Twice last night Ritchie Humphreys took charge, first powerfully shooting inches wide before whipping in a curling effort which fizzed over the bar.

Pool's favourite referee Frazer Stretton then stunned the crowd as he waved away claims following a blatant foul on Williams in the penalty area. The striker cleverly turned Mark Hudson only to be bodychecked and Stretton gave Oldham a goal kick.

Just 15 seconds into the second period, Williams charged into the area and from a tight angle he screwed his shot across goal. Stretton awarded a corner.

After starting the half well, Pool maintained the tempo. Their endless possession was rewarded when Darrell Clarke cut in from the right and hit a low shot with his left foot, which was deflected in at the near post via Hudson.

Aussie keeper Pogliacomi then twice denied Pool with of fantastic saves in quick succession. First Williams unleashed a first-time drive from 25 yards which the keeper pushed out of the top corner, then he stuck out a hand to fend away Clarke's piledriver from close range. Cooper and opposite number Iain Dowie clashed on the touchline after another dubious decision went against Pool. Dowie raced along the line to go head to head with the effervescent Pool boss.

Dowie was soon celebrating as his side took an undeserved lead. Danny Boshell collected the ball on the edge of the area and unleased a low drive into the corner of the net.

Again Pool refused to buckle. Panic followed in the home defence and when Westwood turned the ball into the six-yard box, Clarke, laid on the deck, poked it home to send the game to extra time.

Ex-Newcastle defender David Berherall made an awful mistake, which should have led to Humphreys putting Pool in front, only for Oldham's keeper to pull off another great reaction stop.

Pool spent the final period of extra time penned in the Oldham half, Clarke twice, Tinkler and Humphreys all went close.

esult: Oldham Athletic 3, Hartlepool United 3.

Read more about Hartlepool here.