Hartlepool United came from behind with 10 men to beat Hornchurch 2-1 at Victoria Park, as a Ryan Inniss own goal brought the hosts level before substitute Luke Charman struck a superb winner to secure a second successive National League victory for Pete Wild’s side.
Wild made four changes to his starting line-up, welcoming Max Merrick and Max Kouogun back after lengthy absences. Hartlepool created the first opportunity in the 11th minute when Max Clark struck from distance, forcing Hornchurch goalkeeper Arthur Nasta into a save. Reiss McNally then met Jamie Miley’s corner with a header that Nasta gathered comfortably.
The hosts continued to look for an opening before half-time. Cole Deeming dragged an effort wide from distance, while Will Harris met Nathan Sheron’s low cross during the closing minutes of the half but could not beat Nasta. Neither side found a breakthrough before the interval.
Hornchurch took the lead almost immediately after the restart. Alfie Massey delivered a looping ball into the penalty area and Angelo Balanta arrived at the back post to finish beyond Merrick, giving Daryl McMahon’s side a 1-0 advantage in the 46th minute.
Hartlepool came close to equalising seven minutes later when Neo Eccleston advanced down the right and found Jordan Hugill, who released Harris inside the penalty area. The striker struck the post from close range. Merrick then tipped Myles Weston’s cross-shot over the bar at the other end before Harris had an apparent equaliser ruled out for handball following a Miley delivery.
The hosts suffered another setback in the 68th minute when Eccleston received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Jack Baldwin. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Hartlepool drew level four minutes later. Sheron delivered towards Harris inside the area and the ball deflected off Hornchurch defender Inniss into his own net, although some statistical feeds credited Harris with the goal.
Wild had introduced Brooklyn Ilunga and Jack Nolan shortly after the dismissal before replacing Hugill with Charman in the 75th minute. The substitute needed only five minutes to make his mark. Sheron kept possession alive on the edge of the penalty area and laid the ball into Charman’s path, allowing the forward to curl an excellent finish into the top-right corner beyond Nasta to complete Hartlepool’s comeback.
Hornchurch searched for an equaliser during the closing stages. Josh Walker drove a low effort straight at Merrick before Ryan Loft headed narrowly over the crossbar. Hartlepool also threatened a third when substitute Chris Popov curled a long-range attempt just wide of the bottom corner, but Charman’s goal proved decisive.
The victory gave Wild consecutive National League wins after Hartlepool had ended a six-match losing streak with their 4-2 success at Forest Green Rovers. Sheron played a significant part in both goals as the hosts overturned a one-goal deficit despite playing the final 22 minutes of normal time with 10 men.
Hartlepool moved on to 15 points from 14 league matches, while Hornchurch remained on 21 points after suffering their seventh defeat of the campaign.
