Exeter City 2
Hartlepool United 1.

Saturday 20 February 1999.

Referee: Tony Leake

Att: 2987


EXETER City top scorer Steve Flack notched his 15th goal of the season as the Grecians pulled off an incredible injury-time come-back. Darran Rowbotham crossed from the right and Flack pulled away from his marker at the far post before rifling in a right foot shot past unprotected Pool keeper Martin Hol- lund in the last minute of injury-time to seal a 2-1 win. Rowbotham, recalled following his 100th goal for City last week, was also instrumental in laying on the final ball for substitute Brian Quailey to smash in City's leveller in the third minute of injury time following a corner from the right in front of the Big Bank. Jason Rees' flag kick was flicked on to Rowbotham who brought the ball down wel at the far post with his back to Hol- lund. He curled the ball back across the face of goal and there was Quailey, eager to bundle the ball home to make it 1-1 Hartlepool took the lead in controversial circumstances in the 23rd minute when Graeme Power and Lee Baddeley were judged to have impeded Pool targetman Steve Howard at the far post as he went for Ian Clark's low cross. Baddeley, Jason Rees and John Richardson argued with referee Tony Bates before Denny Ingram snuck away his fourth league goal of the season by sending Ashley Bayes the wrong way with his side footed spot kick to the keeper's left. Bayes could do little about the penalty but more than earned his corn in the first half with two outstanding saves. In the 37th minute Stuart Irvine made a flight-footed break down the right flank before driving in on goal and shooting. Bayes blocked the first shot well and then made an even better one handed save as the ball ricocheted goalwards after hitting Baddeley. Five minutes later Bayes was on hand again as Jon Gittens dummied the ball through, not realising Irvine had crept in behind him. Irvine made a good angle for himself but still could not beat Bayes, who thwarted the Pool striker with a good block. Chris Fry, who had made some good crosses and runs down the right, was stretchered off in first half injury-time after a collision with Clark in the Hartlepool half. John Wilkinson re- placed Fry and continued his good work, making a couple of fine crosses at the start of the second half as City launched their offensive. Baddeley was pushed forward at every chance and City boss Peter Fox threw on another forward with Quailey's introduction on 76 minutes. With City's three-pronged strike force to deal with it became a question of just how long the visitors' defence would hold on for. When Hollund made a breathtaking 86th minute save from Richardson's rocket it seemed City might not get a break. In his follow-up, Richardson and Clark collided and Pool were forced to send on Paul Stephenson. He didn't get a touch as City piled forward looking for goals. To write off City at home this season is always a big mistake, however late in the day. Pity those who left when the fourth official held up his board declaring five minutes added on and Pool leading 1-0!.

EXETER:
Bayes, Fry (Wilkinson 45), Power, Baddeley, Bichardson, Gittens, Rowbotham, Rees, Flack, Holloway, Gardner (Quailey 76). Sub (not used): Curran.

HARTLEPOOL: Hollund, Knowles, McKinnon, Barron, Ingram, Elliott, Miller, Beardsley. Howard, Irvine, Clark (Stephenson 89). Subs (not used: Midgley, Stokoe

Attendance 2987

Referee Tony Bates (Stoke on Trent)