MIKE CECERE put Hartlepool ‘on the spot’ when he scored a brace of penalties to put Town into the FA Cup second round.
He became the first player to achieve a double penalty strike since Mark Lillis against Charlton Athletic in 1985, Cecere’s two goals put him joint top of Town’s goalscoring list on seven and gave Eoin Hand’s men their first victory in six outings.
Town deserved to win 2-0 by virtue of creating far more chances than the Football League’s bottom club, but they did come under two strong spells of pressure in a match which was certainly not one for the connoisseur.
Hand’s men had eight shots on goal to Hartlepool’s one before the match reached boiling point a minute before the break.
An accurate through ball from Kieran O’Regan found Craig Maskell in the area, who in turn was tripped by Pool keeper Rob Moverley.
And despite the visiting stopper guessing the direction correctly he was unable to prevent Cecere’s strike going into the right-hand corner of the net.
Town’s second spot kick came just two minutes later in injury time from an almost copybook move.
O’Regan was again the source, releasing Cecere down the right flank, who then lobbed the ball across for the onrushing Iffy Onuora. He just got his foot in before being clattered to the ground by Moverley.
It certainly looked a more blatant penalty than the first (which had been hotly disputed) and Whitley Bay referee Ken Redfern had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and this time Cecere sent Moverley the wrong way to net in the opposite corner.
They were shattering blows to a Hartlepool side who had won only twice this term, but to their credit Bobby Moncur’s side rallied in the second half and it needed interventions from Town skipper Chris Hutchings (twice) as he cleared off the line from Jade Sinclair and then covered again as Paul Williams went for goal.
Town had a few other shaky moments at set-pieces, but despite failing to find their best form in a scrappy and dull cup-tie, they ought to have had at least a couple more goals.
Cecere had two glorious chances to notch a hat trick, the first on 56 minutes when put through by Onuora which was saved by Moverley’s legs, and the second when a superb left-footer beat the diving keeper only to strike a post and bounce safely away.
Town: Hardwick, Marsden, Hutchings, O’Regan, O’Doherty, Mitchell, Onuora (Withe 71), Wilson, Cecere, Maskell, Smith. Subs not used: Duggan.
Attendance: 3,160.
