Brown stuns Cherries: Match Review

Bournemouth's promotion push suffered an unexpected setback as a James Brown wonder-strike helped Hartlepool to a 1-0 win at Dean Court.

The Cherries, celebrating a century at their ground, came into the game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run but were deservedly defeated by a resurgent Hartlepool.

Eddie Howe's side started stronger, but it was to be Pools who broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.

The impressive Brown - who just two minutes earlier has clipped the bar with a curling effort - cut in with ease from the left before firing home from long-range.

Just two minutes later the Cherries had a strong shout for a penalty turned down when Harry Arter clashed with Pools goalkeeper Jake Kean as he broke clear - but the frantic pleas of the Bournemouth players were ignored.

Bournemouth went close on a number of occasions in a disjointed second period - Anton Robinson driving into the side-netting and Jason Pearce firing over from close range - but Hartlepool held on for a hard-fought win.

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