Hartlepool 2-2 Newport County: Match Report

Hartlepool recover from whirlwind start to claim drawHartlepool overcame Toto Nsiala's third-minute red card to earn a deserved 2-2 Sky Bet League Two draw against Newport.Nsiala's inexplicable handball, which came moments after Nicky Featherstone put Pools ahead, left Craig Hignett's men with a mountain to climb.Yet the hosts showed great resolve after goals from Sean Rigg and Jon Parkin turned the tide, and earned a share of the spoils thanks to Padraig Amond's header.A remarkable start brought two goals and a sending off inside the opening four minutes.Featherstone volleyed Pools in front before Nsiala was given his marching orders, with Grigg firing home the resulting free-kick.Newport moved ahead through Parkin's 27th-minute wonder goal, the striker chesting the ball down on the edge of the box and sending a spinning volley in off the inside of the post.But Pools roared back and entered the break level after Amond converted Lewis Alessandra's corner.Hignett's men were in the ascendancy following half-time, Nathan Thomas forcing two fine saves from Joe Day.Newport enjoyed a spell of possession towards the end, but ultimately settled for a point.

Source: PA