Hartlepool hang-on to top spot

By Mark Kendall  

Hartlepool hang-on to top spot

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Teams

  • Bournemouth
  • Bristol Rovers

Players

  • Bradley Allen
  • Barry Conlon

HARTLEPOOL maintained their one point lead at the top of Division Three despite being held to a 2-2 home draw by Scunthorpe.

The North-East outfit were twice behind, and left it late to claim a point with Kevin Henderson (pictured) scoring in the very last minute.

Scunthorpe opening the scoring after 25 minutes through Scott Brough, though Hartlepool were level by half-time courtesy of a Jamie McCombe own goal.

Veteran striker Martin Carruthers put the Iron back ahead, but Henderson gained the leaders a share of the spoils with his late leveller.

Second-placed Rushden and Diamonds were also denied a home win, as lowly Carlisle held on for a valuable point at Nene Park.

Recent signing from Leeds United, Craig Farrell put the Cumbrians ahead after just twelve minutes, but Onandi Lowe replied four minutes later to ensure Rushden remained on the heels of Hartlepool.

Bournemouth consolidated third spot after playing out a goalless draw with Peter Taylor's Hull City at Dean Court.

Cambridge United were the day's big movers, jumping three places to fourth after a convincing 3-1 home triumph over newly-installed basement boys, Bristol Rovers.

Callum Parker, Tom Youngs and David Kitson grabbed the goals for the U's, and Bradley Allen's lone reply was not enough to stop Rovers slipping to the bottom of the pile.

Another home draw mean Bury remain in fifth spot, Jon Newby added to his growing reputation by opening the scoring for the hosts after 62 minutes.

However, Bury's joy was short-lived as Lee McEvilly levelled matters for Rochdale some five minutes later.

Torquay cruised to a 3-1 success against Southend at Plainmoor, strikes from Joe Osei-Kuffour, Darren Dunning and Tony Bedeau lifted the Gulls one place to seventh, Tesfaye Bramble got Southend's consolation.

Welshmaen Wrexham slipped two places to eighth after a 2-0 home reverse against Kidderminster.

Darren Ferguson saw red for the hosts and goals from Sean Parrish and John Melligan in the final minute wrapped up the points for the Harriers who rise to tenth.

Oxford United stay ninth following an entertaining 2-2 home draw with Exeter.

Steve Flack put the Grecians ahead just before the hour, but late efforts from Lee Steele and Matthew Bound seemed to have secured victory for Oxford. However, a last-minute Justin Walker penalty ensured both teams finished with a point.

Leyton Orient eased their relegation worries with a hard-fought 1-0 away victory at the expense of fellow strugglers Swansea who drop to second-bottom.

Despite having Scott Canham sent off after 27 minutes, the Londoners took all three points with Chris Tate's strike nine minutes after the break.

Darlington remain seventeenth on the back of a drab goalless home draw with Macclesfield Town.

It was a great day for Boston United though as they finally climbed off the foot of the Division Three table.

A memorable 6-0 home rout of Shrewsbury means the Pigrims will go into the Christmas break in high spirits as they moved up two places.

Goals from Stuart Douglas, Neil Redfearn, James Gould, a Jason van Blerk own-goal and a brace from Richard Logan handed Boston their best victory in the Football League.

Click here for Division Three table:

Match Summaries:
Boston 6-0 Shrewsbury
Bournemouth 0-0 Hull
Bury 1-1 Rochdale
Cambridge 3-1 Bristol Rovers
Darlington 0-0 Macclesfield
Hartlepool 2-2 Scuthorpe
Oxford 3-1 Exeter
Rushden 1-1 Diamonds v Carlisle
Swansea 0-1 Leyton Orient
Torquay 3-1 Southend
Wrexham 0-2 Kidderminster