Hartlepool United hang on for a National League point in draw 1-1 at Eastleigh
The impressive Joe Grey gave Pools the lead in the 20th minute following an incisive pass from Terrell Agyemang.
But Eastleigh equalised in the 77th minute when Hartlepool old boy Chris Maguire scored from the spot and the visitors could well have come away with nothing had it not been for some Pete Jameson heroics and the woodwork.
Coach Kevin Phillips made two changes from last Saturday’s goalless draw with Southend as Joe Grey returned from illness to replace Chay Cooper while Terrell Agyemang was a surprise inclusion after Brennan Dickenson picked up an injury in training.
And while it might have been Non-League Day, there were two managers of Premier League pedigree in the dugouts as Kevin Phillips faced off with former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who made two appearances while on-loan at Pools in 1997, for the first time.
It was a quiet start to the game as Pools looked to take the sting out of the Spitfires by keeping hold of the ball while Eastleigh looked to threaten down the flanks through their lively wing-backs Oscar Rutherford and Ben Reeves.
Grey, who was making a welcome return to the side, was causing the home side problems on the right and almost fashioned a chance 10 minutes in when he slipped away from Luke Croll but his ball across the face was turned clear before it could reach Dieseruvwe at the back post.
