Brentford undone by two own goals

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Brentford 2 Hartlepool 2

A 90th-minute own goal by Tony Craig – Brentford’s second of the game – gifted struggling Hartlepool a point at Griffin Park.

Paul Hayes answered his doubters with his first goals for the Bees, firing them ahead from close range and then heading home to restore the lead in the second half after Harlee Dean’s own goal.

But his efforts were overshadowed, first by Dean, who slid in and deflected a cross beyond keeper Simon Moore, and then when Craig headed in from a corner at the death.

Hayes, a free transfer in the summer from Charlton, was booed off by supporters in midweek after missing a host of chances against Coventry, but he kept his place ahead of recent loan signing James Spencer.

And he was given a simple finish to open his Bees account from three yards when a Shaleum Logan cross was scuffed by Jonathan Douglas into his path.

Harry Forrester saw a fierce volley headed off the Pools line but Brentford were warned twice by Ryan Noble and Richie Humphreys before Dean turned in an Anthony Sweeney cross.

Dean was replaced by Leon Legge at half-time and then Hayes headed home what he must have thought would be the winner from a Clayton Donaldson cross.

But as the fourth official was preparing to declare the amount of stoppage time to be played, Craig stunned the crowd with a backward header into his own net.

Brentford (4-4-2): Moore; Logan, Craig, Dean (Legge 46), Bidwell; Forshaw (Adeyemi 84), Diagouraga, Donaldson, Forrester; Hayes (Spencer 82), Donaldson
Subs not used: Lee, Barron, O’Connor, Dallas.

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