Bournemouth vs Hartlepool United. Sky Bet League One.
Vitality StadiumAttendance6,129.
Saturday 11 December 2010 18:01, UK
Bournemouth's promotion push hit an unexpected setback as James Brown's wonder strike earned Hartlepool a 1-0 away win.
The Cherries, celebrating a century at their Dean Court ground, came into the game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run but were deservedly defeated by a resurgent Hartlepool. Eddie Howe's side started stronger, but it was to be Pools who broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark. The impressive Brown - who just two minutes earlier has clipped the bar with a curling effort - cut in with ease from the left before firing home from long-range. Just two minutes later the Cherries had a strong shout for a penalty turned down when Harry Arter clashed with Pools goalkeeper Jake Kean as he broke clear - but the frantic pleas of the Bournemouth players were ignored. Bournemouth went close on a number of occasions in a disjointed second period - Anton Robinson driving into the side-netting and Jason Pearce firing over from close range - but Hartlepool held on for a hard-fought win.
