Hartlepool Utd 2 Carlisle Utd 2

DANNY Wilson got a much improved performance and a better atmosphere inside Victoria Park. He also got a better result as his side secured a late draw with Carlisle.

After weakly losing to Walsall on Saturday, Wilson was a frustrated manager, but he will be far happier today after a much brighter display from his charges.

Carlisle, with two goals from striker Danny Graham, looked like they were about to inflict back-to-back home defeats on Pools for the first time since December 2005.

But, after being on the pitch for little over 30 seconds, Michael Mackay turned in a delightful Matty Robson cross from close range for his first goal since being nabbed from Consett in January.

It was a exciting end to a non-stop game and Pools started in a far more convincing mode than at the weekend. They were keeping possession and playing at pace, which penned Carlisle in their own area.

Chances on goal, however, were few. Carlisle defended in a big red-shirted pack and Pools couldn't break beyond them.

And, from their first attack, Carlisle took the lead on 19 minutes. Simon Hackney's cross went across the face of goal, Joe Anyinsah put it back in and unmarked Graham touched the ball into the net from six yards.

Pools kept up their intensity and Jamie McCunnnie's cross from the right was headed wide from 16 yards by Richard Barker.

David Foley was causing problems with his pace while at the other end it was the speed of Anyinsah asking questions and he sped between Ritchie Humphreys and Boland before a combination of defenders halted his dangerous progression.

Pools could easily have had a penalty on 38 minutes, when Foley knocked the ball past keeper Keiren Westwood and was then knocked over.

Referee Mike Pike gave a corner and from it Pools levelled. Foley's cross was powerfully headed into the top of the net from ten yards by a strikingly ecstatic Barker.

The joy was soon tempered as the same combination who created the opener did it again.

Anyinsah's cross from the right was hit to perfection as it curled away from goal and Graham - a summer target for Pools - climbed above Micky Nelson to loop a strong header over Jan Budtz and into the net.

The lick of the game wasn't relenting in the second period, although chances remained scarce in a full-blooded affair.

Ian Moore, back after being shunted in his car last week, turned and shot at goal and keeper Kieren Westwood was happy to see it scramble wide.

Willie Boland's low shot hit a Pools player on its way to goal and was deflected wide, and Nelson's steered volley was tipped away by Westwood.

Barker climbed above his marker to plant a header inches over, but they kept up the pressure and were rewarded as the two substitutes combined to level.

In injury time Carlisle substitute Danny Carlton somehow shot over from six yards as a winner looked on the cards