A late strike from Antony Sweeney denied Colchester United a point at Hartlepool United this afternoon.

Sweeney turned to acrobatically hook in a long free-kick from close range with two minutes to go, to condemn the U's to a 1-0 defeat at Victoria Park.

John Ward's side almost fell behind in the sixth minute when David Perkins was forced to clear Peter Hartley's header off the line.

Goalkeeper Mark Cousins, recalled to Colchester's starting line-up following Ben Williams' back injury, then denied Sweeney and Pools looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the first half.

Steven Gillespie headed just wide for Colchester from close range before Cousins was called into action again just before half-time when he dived low to save Steve Haslam's low, long-range strike.

Cousins, making his first league start in more than four months, was in fine form again, after half-time.

Midway through the second half, he denied Pools substitute Colin Larkin and then a few seconds later, the U's shot-stopper made an equally impressive stop to save Ritchie Humphreys' close-range attempt.

Colchester rarely threatened goalkeeper Scott Flinders but it looked as though they were heading for a point, until Sweeney fired in Pools' late winner.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction from Colchester United's game at Hartlepool United, see Monday's Gazette.