Salford 1-1 Hartlepool: Part-timers earn replay against League Two side

Salford City's FA Cup run remains alive after the part-timers held Hartlepool to a 1-1 draw at Moor Lane.

With the draw for the third round set for Monday, the minnows from Salford will be in the hat after they fought back through Stephen O'Halloran's close-range equaliser against the Sky Bet League Two side who had taken the lead in the eighth minute through Rhys Oates' penalty.

New Valencia manager Gary Neville was not in attendance at Moor Lane as Hartlepool passed up several decent chances to win it in the second half. 

Salford keeper Jay Lynch saved well from Jake Gray, while Chris Lynch and James Poole went close for the hosts.

The eventual result was no less than Salford - who had never gone beyond the third qualifying round before this season - deserved as they put in another creditable performance to follow up their memorable 2-0 victory over
Notts County in round one.

And although a tough replay at Hartlepool awaits, they know their name will be in the draw alongside those of Premier League sides on Monday.

Hartlepool were looking to avoid being victims of a round two giantkilling at the hands of a seventh tier side for a second successive season, having been beaten by Blyth Spartans at this stage last season.

And they began the game in purposeful fashion, going in front early on when Oates - on his 21st birthday - got the better of Steve Howson, was tripped by Andy Dawson in the box and tucked away the resulting spot-kick himself.

It was an ominous-looking start for Salford, but they responded well and not long after Danny Webber had just failed to get a touch to Chris Lynch's header across the visitors' goal, O'Halloran popped up with the equaliser, sliding in to covert Dawson's knock-down from a free-kick.

Soon after the interval Adam Jackson fired wide of the Salford goal and home keeper Jay Lynch then produced a superb stop to keep out Jake Gray's fierce shot.

Lewis Hardcastle could not get enough power on his strike when in space at the other end, and Hartlepool then passed up an even better chance as substitute Rakish Bingham headed over.

Chris Lynch unleashed a swerving long-range effort in the 77th minute that was heading in, but Trevor Carson tipped over to deny the home captain.