Striker Michael Mackay struck twice to fire Hartlepool past battling Fleetwood Town in a 3-2 win.
Hartlepool battle back to secure third round spot
Striker Michael Mackay struck twice to fire Hartlepool past battling Conference North outfit Fleetwood Town in a 3-2 win.
The non-League side threatened an upset when Andy Bell gave them an early lead but Mackay struck either side of the break and Joel Porter added a third to put Pools in control.
Adam Warlow got one back for Town after 66 minutes, but despite late pressure from Mickey Mellon's men, Hartlepool held their nerve.
Fleetwood grabbed the lead in the 14th minute when Jamie Milligan's free-kick caught the Pools defence cold and striker Bell fired past Arran Lee-Barrett.
Home support silenced
However, the home support were silenced three minutes later. Ritchie Humphreys' corner was cleared to Jamie McCunnie who crossed for the unmarked Mackay who controlled well before beating Hurst from 10 yards. And the League One side took control of the tie with two goals inside the first 11 minutes of the second half.
Just 60 seconds after the restart Anthony Sweeney nodded the ball on to Mackay on the edge of the box and the striker brilliantly lobbed over Hurst. Pools ruthlessly grabbed a third after 56 minutes when Sweeney volleyed into the box and Joel Porter poked home from six yards.
But Fleetwood refused to buckle and were thrown a lifeline 10 minutes later when Brad Maylett's long ball forward found Adam Warlow to hammer the chance past Lee-Barrett. Ten minutes from time John Hills' superb left-wing cross found its way to Warlow at the back post but the ball would not come down and Hartlepool held on for their place in round three.
