In-form Rochdale spoiled Hartlepool's League Two Championship party but came off the pitch to find their own play-off hopes dashed by Bristol Rovers' win over Swindon.
A game that had everything and was entertaining from the first whistle saw three penalties, two of them saved, and no fewer than three red cards.
The home side started with their now usual high tempo and took the lead after just 90 seconds.
An excellent through ball by John Doolan led to a chance for Chris Dagnall which Hartlepool keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos could only parry, and Glenn Murray was on hand to slam home the rebound.
An action-packed first period saw two penalties, both of them saved. First of all Hartlepool's leading scorer Richie Barker saw his effort brilliantly kept out by Dale keeper Matthew Gilks on 12 minutes. Then six minutes later Konstantopoulos kept out Adam Rundle's effort with his legs.
Chances came and went at both ends before Dale doubled their lead on 76 minutes. Barker's afternoon of misery was completed when he handled on the line and was sent off and Dagnall showed the others the way with a perfectly-taken penalty.
A game that had previously been played in the best of spirits turned ugly a minute later when Hartlepool's Andy Monkhouse produced an awful tackle on Murray that sparked a mass brawl and eventually led to an early bath for Monkhouse and Doolan. |
