Full-time: Hartlepool United 1 Bristol Rovers 1

Jeff Hughes netted his third goal of the season to earn Bristol Rovers a useful away point as they fought back from suffering an early setback at Victoria Park.

The Pirates had won only one of their six previous visits to Hartlepool and the omens did not look good when defender Michael Nelson rose to nod Danny Wilson's side into an early lead.

But Hughes, playing in a central midfield role rather than his normal wide position, rounded keeper Arran Lee-Barrett to put the visitors level midway through the opening period.

Rovers, who made two changes to the side that had started the 2-2 weekend draw with Swindon Town, were indebted to a string of fine late saves from Steve Phillips, who on three occasions prevented Matty Robson from becoming Hartlepool's last-gasp hero.

Coach Paul Trollope recalled Byron Anthony to central defence in place of Craig Hinton, who started on the bench.

And there was a reshuffle in midfield with Joe Jacobson called up to play on the left-hand side as Hughes switched to a central berth.

There was a place on the bench for new signing Richard Langley, the Jamaican international midfielder featuring in the squad for the first time after signing an initial month-long deal.

But it was Pools who made an early breakthrough after Nelson's speculative cross had Phillips back-pedalling before he was forced to tip the ball over the bar.

Phillips then managed to claw away the resulting corner under pressure, but it only reached Robson, who chipped it across goal for Nelson to rise and plant a firm header into the net from eight yards out.

Trollope had talked in the build-up to the match about the need for better defending from set-pieces, but it appeared his words had gone to waste as the visitors found themselves chasing the game.

Rovers' first real sight of goal came after 13 minutes when Rickie Lambert set his sights from a 25-yard free kick, only to blast his low delivery straight against United's defensive wall.

The visitors were back on level terms in the 24th minute though as Jacobson's fine pass to Hughes saw the Northern Irishman beat the home side's offside trap and advance to round keeper Arran Lee-Barrett before slotting the ball into the corner of the net for his third goal of the season.

And Rovers carved out a couple of opportunities to take the lead over the next 10 minutes.

First, Lambert's clever backheel allowed Aaron Lescott the chance to cross from the left and after Jo Kuffour dummied and let the ball run, Craig Disley fired narrowly wide from 10 yards.

Moments later, Kuffour found space down the right and delivered a low cross which ran inches ahead of the onrushing Hughes as he dashed in looking to tuck the ball home.

Though Nelson again went close with a header from another corner early in the second half, Rovers were getting good spells of possession around the hour mark and almost carved out a good opportunity.

Lambert's brilliant turn just outside the box led to a reverse pass which put Disley through, only for the midfielder to be flagged offside.

Then Kuffour led a breakaway but produced a disappointing finish as he was forced wide, clipping his shot high over the crossbar.

Hartlepool were not posing too much of a threat from open play, but they remained a threat from set pieces.

And another corner almost proved Rovers' undoing 16 minutes from time when substitute David Foley's delivery was met with a bullet header from Kevin Kyle, only for the big striker's effort to thump the top of the crossbar.

Then Phillips came to the visitors' rescue, pulling off a superb reaction save to tip Robson's searing 10-yard volley over the top.

And with four minutes left, Phillips foiled Robson again – this time going to his right to beat away a fierce free kick.

The keeper was not finished though and just when it looked as though Robson was finally going to get Hartlepool's matchwinner, Phillips produced another crucial stop – this time going to his right to tip away another piledriver from the midfielder.

Though it had been the home side asking the questions over the closing stages, the visitors held firm to secure a useful away point.

Hartlepool (4-4-2): Lee-Barrett, Sweeney, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Brown (Foley, 58), Jones, Liddle, Monkhouse (Humphreys, 71), Kyle, Porter. Subs (not used): Budtz, McCunnie, Mackay.

Bristol Rovers (4-1-3-2): Phillips, R Green, Anthony, Elliott, Lescott, Campbell, Disley, Hughes, Jacobson, Lambert, Kuffour. Subs (not used): Hinton, Duffy, M Green, Rigg, Langley.