This is The North East | Sport | Football

AFTER watching his side grab a point against top-six side Barnsley, Hartlepool United boss Martin Scott believes they would be rubbing shoulders with their loftier opponents if only they could realise their potential.

The 1-1 draw at Oakwell yesterday came after encouraging, yet ultimately fruitless, performances against Walsall and Colchester.

Pool went down 1-0 to both the Saddlers and the U's, but in South Yorkshire, Eifion Williams second-half strike ensured a share of the spoils after Marc Richards' opener from the spot.

Pool are 13th after the Boxing Day outing, seven points off both the play-offs and the relegation zone, and host another front-runner in the shape of Southend United tomorrow night.

"Before the game I would have taken a point against Barnsley. It's a difficult place to come to and play football. It was a good point," said Scott.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't start the game brighter, but the lads showed a lot of character in the second half and got themselves back into the game.

"I'm just disappointed that we are not playing to our strengths at times because I know we are a better side than where we are in the table right now."

Scott was reserved praise for goalscorer Williams, enjoying a rare outing in his preferred position up front.

"I'm delighted that Eifion took his chance after he missed one just before," he said, adding that he had no problems with the awarding of the spot-kick that saw his side go a goal down.

"They were first to every ball and the incident that led to the penalty, there's no qualms about it - I'm just happy that he didn't give a second one just after.''

In the first half, Pool were tormented by one-time Victoria Park loanee Chris Shuker.

Every time he ran at the Pool defence he caused panic. In the 25th minute he unleashed a 20-yard shot that thundered against the bar, then he ran to retrieve the rebound but his cross was too easy for Dimi Konstanopoulos to deal with.

Shuker was instrumental in Barnsley's opener three minutes later.

He played a one-two with striker Paul Hayes and managed to thread the ball through to Jacob Burns.

As the midfielder raced through the area he was tripped by Neill Collins. Referee Phil Joslin pointed to the penalty spot and Richards placed his spot kick in the bottom left hand corner just wide of Konstanopoulos' outstretched hand.

Five minutes after the penalty Barnsley thought they had won another.

Midfielder Brian Howard went sprawling after a challenge by Michael Nelson but this time, much to the relief of the travelling Pool fans, the referee waved away the appeals.

Scott's side then dominated the first ten minutes after the restart.

Ben Clark's cross from the left found Chris Llewellyn who fluffed his shot, the ball dropping to Williams whose shot went inches wide of the far post.

A minute later Pool won a free kick when Llewellyn was fouled by Burns. Thomas Butler's free-kick found Llewellyn and his cross was well trapped by Williams who hooked home from 17 yards for his only his third goal of the season.

Two minutes later Butler ran through the middle of the Barnsley defence into the area, but the defenders recovered and managed to drive him wide.

At the other end, the Pool defence panicked whenever Shuker got the ball. This was demonstrated when Nelson gave a needless corner away simply because the diminutive midfielder was behind him.

Pool continued in search of the winner and Butler managed to hook the ball round to Llewellyn but his shot on the turn hit the side netting.

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