HARTLEPOOL UNITED suffered a harsh last-gasp defeat at Doncaster Rovers.

Set at 1-1 and comfortable for a point at the Keepmoat Stadium, Pools shipped an 89th minute goal to ensure more points dropped from a strong position.

Pools had just switched to three at the back to see out the closing minutes, but Rovers picked off space in defence and Liam Mandeville tapped in from close range.

Backed by 661 fans, Pools were good to take something home until the late drama.

They were under plenty of first-half pressure as they were pressed back by a vibrant home side.

On 24 minutes, Pools had a chance when home substitute keeper Ross Etheridge played the ball to Padraig Amond and his chip beat the stranded keeper, but came back off the inside of the post.

Donny attacked and were instantly ahead.

James Coppinger crossed from the left and John Marquis headed in.

But Pools levelled as Amond was bundled over in the area by Baudry and the striker made no mistake from the spot.

Amond turned a shot into keeper Etheridge at the start of the second-half, but chances on goal at both ends were scarce in the second-half, until Mandeville netted.

DONCASTER ROVERS (3-5-2): Marosi (Etheridge 22); Alcock, Butler, Baudry; Blair, Houghton, Coppinger (Keegan 90), Rowe, Mason; Marquis, Mandeville. Subs: Wright, Beestin, Longbottom, Evina, Garratt.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3): Carson; Richards, Bates, Nsiala, Carroll; Hawkins (Woods 63), Featherstone, Laurent; Alessandra (Paynter 82), Amond, Deverdics (Jones 88). Subs: Oates, Bartlett (gk), Orrell, Harrison.