Bass strikes to extend Pool's impressive run

The right-back popped up at the back post to head in the Pool equaliser after former Darlington midfielder Michael Oliver had given the visitors the lead.

Bass's goal ensured the 4,162 crowd - second biggest of the season - inside Victoria Park did not go home dejected.

Pool's attacking play was a joy to watch at times and they showed just why they had been able to score on ten occasions in their four last games. But Chris Turner's men found Rochdale keeper Neil Edwards in fine form and Ritchie Humphreys can count himself particularly unlucky not to find his name on the scoresheet.

Humphreys and Watson's link up front is continuing to improve match by match and against Rochdale it was just goals which were missing. Turner was able to field the same starting line-up that was successful at Swansea City a week earlier. The only change was on the bench were Paul Arnison replaced James Sharp who had to settle for a seat in the stands.

Rochdale brought in Darren Dunning for his debut after signing from Blackburn - he replaced Gary Jones who joined his old boss Steve Parkin at Barnsley yesterday morning. There was no place in David Hamilton's first 11 for leading scorer Kevin Townson who was on the bench. The game started quite lively and within six minutes Pool should have taken the lead.

Forwards Ritchie Humphreys and Gordon Watson combined and the latter's touch rebounded off keeper Ian Edwards in to the path of his striking partner. However, with the goal gaping Humphreys' shot deflected for a corner when he should have opened his account.

Rochdale were looking dangerous going forward and former Turner target Kieron Durkan was causing problems down the right wing. On three occasions in the first half Durkan, who signed for the Spotland club in the summer from Macclesfield, went close to giving the visitors the lead. Each time Anthony Williams was on hand to save.

If Dale's Irish winger was causing problems for the home defence then equally Humphreys and Watson were producing some craft and guile to get in behind at the other end. At least one of the former Sheffield Wednesday pair should have found the net before the referee blew for half-time.

First Watson teed himself up for a volley from outside the area, which Edwards had to acrobatically tip over to stop the 30-year-old from adding to his growing list of wonder goals. And then the Rochdale keeper denied both Watson and Widdrington with two quality saves on 37 minutes.

The Lancashire club's last League win was November 10 at Bristol Rovers, and it was obvious they had their minds set on ending that poor run. Prior to that time they were hitting form which led to them climbing to the joint second spot in the Third Division they still occupy this morning.

Former Pool front-man Paul Connor - Rochdale's record £150,000 signing from Cambridge -was the first to go close after the restart but Williams got down superbly to stop a low shot when Connor was faced with only the keeper to beat.

Hamilton's side did not have to wait too much longer though when a little magic from forward Clive Platt in the centre of the pitch created a goalscoring situation out of nothing on 59 minutes.

Platt jinked his way past Chris Westwood and played in Matt Doughty down the right, who found Oliver at the back post to head into the back of the net.

Pool were struggling to get the ball and impressive centre-back Gary Griffiths went very close to extending the lead with a header on 67 minutes, but a cool Westwood allowed the ball to fly wide.

But then the pendulum swung Pool's way and first a sweetly struck Humphreys blast was tipped over by in-form Edwards.

The equaliser did come however - though from an unlikely source. Smith's cross from the right was headed downwards by Bass and the ball had enough pace to finally get beyond Edwards on 74 minutes. Another strike from Humphreys went close but it curled the wrong side of the post as Turner's men nearly snatched all the points

Read more about Hartlepool FC here.