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HARTLEPOOL 2 (Boyd 71, Sweeney 90+3), UNITED 2 (Becchio 24, 79)

Hartlepool: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Sweeney, Monkhouse, Liddle, Humphreys (Jones 58), Gamble, Boyd, Larkin (Behan 46). Subs: Cook, Clark, McSweeney, Fredriksen, Bjornsson. 

United: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Michalik, Lowry, Gradel, Doyle, Howson, McSheffrey (Johnson 86), Becchio, Beckford (Snodgrass 46). Subs: D Martin, Crowe, Grella, Hughes, White.

Referee: S Mathieson

Booked: Naylor (Leeds)

Att: 5115 (964 Leeds)

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It was back to reality and back to business for Simon Grayson and his players with a return to league action at Hartlepool United.

After the FA Cup replay against Tottenham in midweek, the United manager made a number of changes, Shane Lowry, Gary McSheffrey, and Max Gradel all returning to the starting line-up. Robert Snodgrass, Andrew Hughes, and Bradley Johnson all dropped to the bench while Paddy Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny both missed out due to injury.

It was a scrappy opening to the contest and United almost profited from one such situation inside the opening five minutes. Luciano Becchio barged his way into the Hartlepool box and the defensive clearance came back off an advancing Jonny Howson before going wide of the upright.

On 12 minutes, the bar came to Hartlepool's rescue following a Becchio header. Lubo Michalikflicked on a long throw from Leigh Bromby, and Hartlepool goalkeeper Scott Flinders got the faintest of touches to Becchio's looping header to turn it onto the bar.

There was little else in the way of openings during the opening 20 minutes. The home side were looking to end a winless streak and while they enjoyed some early ball, the United back four looked more than comfortable.

When Adam Boyd scooped Hartlepool's first effort over the top he appeared to take his effort too early rather than advance and take on Richard Naylor.

And when Leeds attacked the quality shone with a terrific opening goal on 24 minutes. Jermaine Beckford received the ball towards the right flank after a centre-field break, and his inch-perfect cross was met by the head of Becchio who made no mistake with a great finish.

Moments later, Howson tested Flinders from distance, but the goalkeeper gathered his effort, albeit unconvincingly, with Beckford closing him down.

Andy Monkhouse did force Casper Ankergren into making his first save, following a header, but on the break Leeds looked a real threat and it took some good defending to hack clear a McSheffrey cross after Howson brought the ball quickly upfield.

The on-loan marksman was also denied by an offsider flag after another well carved out attack from Leeds, again involving Howson.

And in first half stoppage time, a McSheffrey corner almost led to a second goal with Becchio somehow seeing his header pushed over the top.

United were good value for the half-time lead, and during the break Simon Grayson made a change with Robert Snodgrassreplacing Beckford, who appeared to have picked up a knock shortly before the break.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first half with little in the way of entertainment to warm up Hartlepool's biggest league crowd of the season.

The home side looked to start brightly, but was Leeds who came closest before the hour-mark when Michalik headed wide from a corner kick.

But it was Ankergren who made the first save of the second period when he got down well to turn an Adam Boyd effort around the post, and as the home side enjoyed their first real spell of the game, Ritchie Jones also went close with a good strike from distance.

But again United broke quickly, McSheffrey winning a free-kick on the edge of the box, and Snodgrass sent a curler just wide of the upright. McSheffrey also lifted a shot over the top after more good passing play by Leeds.

Hartlepool were back in the game on 71 minutes, though, when Boyd smashed the ball home from distance with a powerful strike which Ankergren had no chance with.

The goal gave the home side a lift and just four minutes later, Monkhouse smashed a shot wide of the mark following another raid forward.

But the acrobatics were at the other end as Leeds came steaming forward, Flinders turning a goal-bound strike from McSheffrey over the top.

And Leeds were back in front from the resultant corner. A Leeds shot came back off the bar and Becchio was closest to stab the ball home as the lead was restored in front of the 964 travelling fans.

It was an important strike from Leeds and Grayson's men set about seeing the home game for the final 12 minutes.

With four of those minutes remaning, McSheffrey received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Johnson.

The visitors did win a free-kick on the edge of the box with 90 seconds left of normal time, and Denis Behan's powerful strike smashed straight into the head of Michalik. From the corner, Ankergren saved from Boyd as the United fans started to whistle loudly for full-time.

The home side threw men forward in stoppage time, but Michalik and Naylor were solid as rocks at the back and Leeds edged towards another valuable victory.

But that victory was within United's grasp - there was less than 10 seconds on the clock when disaster struck with the final moment after the match. A free-kick came in from the Pool left and Antony Sweeney rose well to head the ball home right at the death.