Hartlepool United 2 Carlisle United 2

DIFFERENT manager, same scenario for Hartlepool United.

Their season has been marked by comebacks galore under Danny Wilson, and the same thing continued last night under Chris Turner.

Pools were two down to Carlisle at Victoria Park before another stirring fightback saw them repeat last season’s effort in snatching a late draw with the Cumbrians.

Andy Monkhouse and Joel Porter got the vital goals, leaving Turner to admit: “It’s been the Achilles heel all season, giving teams goals, and that’s why we are where we are in the league. We could be 10, 12 points further up the table.

“Our first-half quality in the final third was poor. I felt like being in charge again today because I let rip at halftime.

“They switched off from the standards they set. In the second half they pushed forward much better. Joel Porter only really played the last 25 minutes and showed how vital he is to us.

“Everything that was bad in the first half got better as the game went on and we could have won 3-2.”

Carlisle’s five-man midfield gave them a solid base, and coupled with a high workrate, they were always a threat.

After ten minutes debutant Liam Henderson had a chance to put Pools ahead. Ritchie Humphreys swept forward from his own area and curled a pass around the defence for the loanee to latch on to.

After running unchallenged, he neither shot nor passed, rolling the ball across goal, out of reach of Porter.

A minute later, Pools were trailing as Mark Bridge- Wilkinson dipped a stunning volley into the net from around 30 yards.

Antony Sweeney tried to emulate it, but his shot didn’t have the same verve and goalkeeper Ben Williams went full length to save.

Pools were devoid of ideas in the final third of the field and their midfield will be lacking next Tuesday when they go to Huddersfield – Monkhouse’s booking was his fifth of the season.

Soon afterwards Carlisle took a two-goal lead. When Peter Murphy headed a corner at goal from a standing position on the edge of the penalty box, there shouldn’t have been any danger.

But the ball bounced high via Cleveland Taylor and ended up behind Lee-Barrett and the defence in the net.

Pools almost replied early in the second half when Matty Robson crossed and Porter’s close-range flick was goalbound before Williams dived across goal to push it out.

They did reduce the gap on 59 minutes. A bout of head tennis saw Ben Clark nod on, Gary Liddle knock on and Andy Monkhouse angled a volley in from eight yards.

The goal gave them more huff and puff as they pressed for a leveller, but a couple of last-ditch blocks and tackles in vital areas kept Pools out.

Then somehow Williams saved a curling Humphreys effort, which was bending low at goal.

Sweeney, again full of rightsided energy, headed a deep Robson cross towards goal, but Kavanagh headed away from under his bar. From the corner, Robson’s cross was gleefully turned in from close range by Porter.

The pressure was maintained, Kavanagh again clearing under pressure.

Pools could have had a late penalty when Porter was bundled over running into the box, but the referee waved away fervent appeals.

■ Pools’ game at Brighton on Saturday is all-ticket for away fans. They are on sale until 5pm tomorrow.

■ Kevin Kyle, who recently spent three months on loan at Pools, is to leave Coventry after starting talks to have his contract paid up.

Match Facts

Goals: Bridge-Wilkinson (0-1, 11mins); Taylor (0-2, 40mins); Monkhouse (2-1, 59 mins); Clark (69mins, foul); Porter (85mins, 2-2)
Bookings: Monkhouse (32mins, foul); Kavanagh (58mins, foul); Robson (65mins, foul); Anyinsah (87mins, foul); Graham (90mins, time wasting)
Referee: Martin Atkinson (Leeds) 4
Attendance: 3,765
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2): Lee- Barrett 6; Sweeney 7, Nelson 6, Clark 6, HUMPHREYS 7; Monkhouse 7, G Liddle 6, Jones 6, Robson 5; Henderson 5 (Foley 75mins), Porter 5. Subs (not used): Budtz, McCunnie, Collins, Mackay.
CARLISLE UNITED (4-5-1): Williams 7; Raven 6, Murphy 6, Livesey 6, M Liddle 6; Anyinsah 5, Thirlwell 5, KAVANAGH 8, Bridge-Wilkinson 6, Taylor 7; Graham 6. Subs (not used): Horwood, Howarth, Keogh, Dobie, Madine.
MAN OF THE MATCH: GRAHAM Kavanagh - his midfield workrate set the standard