Laird on the mark to deny Pools: Match Review

Scott Laird rescued a 2-2 draw for Stevenage against Hartlepool with a well-taken equaliser with just two minutes left.

Laird latched onto substitute Robin Shroot's cross to head home clinically and salvage a point.

Hartlepool were in command in the first half and deservedly went in at the break with a two-goal cushion.

Early on Andy Monkhouse fired in a powerful shot which Chris Day got down well to save, but two goals inside eight minutes fired the visitors into a healthy lead.

Peter Hartley scored first when he headed in following a fine cross from the left from Evan Horwood.

Four minutes before half-time it was two courtesy of a penalty. Jon Ashton clumsily upended Colin Nish, leaving Adam Boyd to make no mistake from the spot.

After the break the hosts rallied and grabbed a lifeline when Byron Harrison fired home from inside the box.

And after Laird's late leveller, Shroot almost nicked it for the hosts when he fired inches wide from 12 yards.

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