[choirboy]

Originally Posted by AccyMad

Hughes was pushed, but the ref chose to only see that as a result of said push our lad touched the ball with his hand hence the free kick that should never have been given resulted in their equaliser - not that it should've been a surprise, the ref had a nightmare game, don't think he was biased just inept!

I fully agree on both counts AccyMad.
I said to my daughter and son in law after twenty minutes that I thought the ref was poor and he certainly went on to prove so! Hughes was clearly pushed sideways and the ball struck his arm. There was no intent whatsoever from Hughes to handle the ball because it was just dropping to his feet for him to belt it into Row Z. All afternoon the Pools players got away with a lot of pushing and leaning.....they weren't a dirty side but were well coached in the use of 'spoiling tactics' that the referee did not seem to see!
Their first goal was a late Christmas Present.......enough said!
However, having been in front twice, we should have been able to close the game down and come away with all three points.
The new lad looked lively in the closing minutes!

KEEP THE FAITH

ON STANLEY ON