Woods grabs last-gasp winner for Hartlepool after linesman delay

Michael Woods headed in a Nicky Deverdics cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time as Pools beat Barrow 1-0 at Victoria Park in the National League.

The bulk of the added minutes came after an assistant referee was forced to come off.

Matthew Sowerby called over referee Joe Hull in the 83rd minute to report that he was feeling unwell.

After a four-minute delay, play resumed with the fourth-official taking the flag and the stand-in fourth official holding up seven minutes of added time.

“I thought the delay might have had an adverse reaction because it slowed the game down, ” said manager Harrison.

“The linesman went off feeling ill. It worked for us, so I will take it, but I am not sure whether he will go down in the papers as having an assist!

“I’m not sure Devs will be pleased about that, taking his assist! Seriously, Woodsy’s late header was a great way to win the match.”

The result moved Pools up to 14th in the table.

Hartlepool: Loach, Magnay, Laing, Harrison, Deverdics, Featherstone, Woods, Hawkins, Donaldson (Oates 29), Rodney (Munns 66), Franks. Subs Not Used: Adams, Thorne, Simpson. Booked: Rodney. Goals: Woods 90.

Barrow: Dixon, Barthram, Jones, Dunne, Thompson, Diagne, Harvey, Hughes, Gomis, White, Harrison. Subs Not Used: Moore, Bauress, Panayiotou, Bignot, Makoma.

Att: 3,082 Ref: Joe Hull (Cheshire).