Lee's return helps earn rare away point for Pools

A point at Cheltenham doesn’t rank as one of the greatest achievements in football, but for Hartlepool, it isn’t bad. In fact, looking at their recent away record, a 1-1 draw is very good. Hopefully, after their recent wobbles home and away, they can build on it and at least put in a useful ending to the season.

Joel Porter got the goal, Graeme Lee shone in the middle of the defence on his return to the club on loan from Doncaster, and keeper Jan Budtz put his shaky display in the midweek win over Port Vale behind him --- almost.
Budtz helped Hartlepool secure only their second point in ten away games with a much better display, though he was to blame for the Cheltenham goal when a shot managed to get through him after it looked as if he had it covered.

But the real hero was Joel Porter, who scored a spectacular goal as Pools fought back after being a goal behind at half-time.
Manager Danny Wilson showed he has some bottle by picking Budtz in the first place. After the goalkeeper’s mistake-ridden display against Port Vale on Tuesday night, most fans were expecting Budtz to get the chop.
But Wilson amazingly kept the faith, and got his reward.
Budtz wasn’t exactly blameless when the home team went in front minutes before half-time, Andy Lindegaard’s appearing toi be covered by the keeper, but it still went in.
But there was no stopping Porter’s goal, a great shot from the right that showed the popular Aussie hasn’t forgotten how to put the ball in the net.
All in all, a lot better from Pools – hopefully they can carry on the improvement when they take on Northampton at the Vic on Friday night.

An away point at a place like Cheltenham isn't exactly a sign that Pools are going to make a late surge up the table and join the play-off battle, but it's a start ...