AN injury-time deflected goal denied Hartlepool United an opening day win at MK Dons.

 

Pools were leading 2-1 going into injury time, but Jay O'Shea's cross from the right crashed off substitute Jabo Ibhere eight yards from goal to divert the ball into the net.

Substitute James Poole gave Pools an 85th minute advantage. Nathan Luscombe played him in and his pace took his past the home central defenders before he picked his spot to clip a neat finish high into the net.

Pools defended stoutly in the firt half and, after a Daniel Powell shot was deflected high onto the crossbar by Evan Horwood, they took the lead.

Adam Boyd headed in from close range on 20 minutes. Andy Monkhouse and Horwood worked an opening on the left and the latter crossed towards the far post for the striker to leap above the defence.

Colin Nish, making his debut, could have made it two when he headed over the crossbar from eight yards after stretching to meet a lovely Neil Austin ball.

MK DONS: Martin; Chicksen (O'Shea 86), Mackenzie, Williams, Lewington, Balanta, Potter, Gleeson, Powell (Bowditch 68), Chadwick (Ibehere 75), Baldock. Subs: McLoughlin (gk), Flanagan.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Solano (Luscombe 59), Sweeney, Liddle, Monkhouse, Boyd (Murray 62), Nish (Poole 82). Subs: Humphreys, Rafferty. (gk)

Referee – A. D'Urso, Essex.

Attendance: 7,287 (479 away supporters)