Hartlepool United 1 Peterborough United 0

Last updated : 10 January 2004 By Footymad Previewer

After losing their 28-game unbeaten home run on Boxing Day, Hartlepool got back to winning ways in their first home game of the year with a narrow 1-0 win against Peterborough.

After winning 4-3 at Peterborough with a last-minute goal on the opening day of the season, this was another close call as Posh pushed them hard all the way in a see-saw game that should have had more goals.

The difference between the sides was Chris Shuker, who supplied the touch of class Hartlepool needed to edge home as he celebrated signing for a second month on loan from Manchester City.

Shuker brought two good reaction saves from Mark Tyler in the opening minutes and as Hartlepool dominated the start, Mark Tinkler and Joel Porter both went inches wide with good chances.

But Peterborough had their chances, too, and on 24 minutes they were unlucky when skipper Curtis Woodhouse wormed his way into the home area after a neat one-two, but home keeper Jim Provett saved bravely at his feet.

Hartlepool took the lead on 36 minutes when Shuker split the Posh defence with a brilliant ball from the right and Eifion Williams raced away to go round Tyler and slot in his seventh goal of the season.

But Williams missed all but three minutes of the second half with an injury, and Hartlepool were rarely as big a threat without him.

Peterborough battled hard all the way, but the best chance in a scrappy second half was a spectacular overhead shot from Shuker that Tyler did well to save.

Peterborough had defender Matthew Gill sent off 16 minutes from the end for a second yellow card, but they still refused to give up and were hammering away for a goal when the final whistle blew.

"It's a disappointing result for us, but you have to take your chances when you get them," said Posh boss Barry Fry.

"We had the possession and the chances, but it wasn't our day." Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper added: "Peterborough made it hard. They bombarded us with high balls for their big men, abut our defence played really well and we survived.

"The goal that was it was a peach – I'm looking forward to seeing it on video."