FOOTBALL: AN INJURY time header once again haunted Solihull Moors as Richard Money’s men crashed to another home defeat, this time against Hartlepool.
In front of a record crowd of 2,658, Moors were moments away from earning a hard-fought draw.
But a late header from Jonathan Franks denied Moors any points – and kept Money’s men rooted to 23rd in the National League table.
Moors created the better chances in the opening half, the first of which coming on nine minutes when Wes McDonald latched onto a through ball from Liam Daly. But his shot was lifted over Scott Loach’s post.
Skipper Darren Carter then saw a 20-yard strike whistle inches over the crossbar while at the other end Hartlepool created their first meaningful chance on 31 minutes when a tame strike bobbled into the hands of Nathan Vaughan.
Five minutes later, Moors striker Dapo Afolayan had a fierce effort kept out by Loach at full stretch.
Money’s side should’ve took the lead just before half time. Midfielder George Carline came in at the far post to meet Darren Carter’s cross, but his header was tipped onto the woodwork by Loach.
The visitors made two changes at half time, and it made an instant impact as Rhys Oates scored with his first touch within a minute of the second half starting.
It took the Moors a while to regain a foothold in the game as midfielder Courtney Richards tried to drive the team forward at every opportunity.
He tested the keeper with two shots from distance, in between an opening which Carline created with some neat control before his placed left foot shot was grabbed low down by Loach.
A change which saw five men play across the middle helped Moors as Kristian Green saw a header go just wide.
Moors’ persistence paid off when Richard Brodie was fouled in the box, and Carter made no mistake from the spot to give Moors a deserved equaliser.
But his spot kick proved in vain as Moors failed to deal with a late free-kick as Franks scored with his head.
Solihull Moors: Vaughan, Murombedzi, Green, Daly, Kelleher; McDonald (sub Brodie, 53), Carter ©, Richards, Carline, Campbell, Afolayan (sub Liburd, 62).
Attendance: 2,658
