Exeter City v Hartlepool United, 26 August 2000

Pool's striker Kevin Henderson scored in the first minute for the second Saturday in a row, and once again they were unable to make the most of their early success. Exeter recovered from their early slumber to create a number of clear chances. The best came in the 23rd minute when referee Wilkes judged that Mark Robinson had tripped Steve Flack. Although Alex Inglethorpe sent Martin Hollund the wrong way, he also sent his spot kick wide of the keeper's right post. Both sides had good opportunities in the second half with United made to pay for not finding the elusive second. Jon Ashton's free kick was cleared to the back of the box, but Christian Roberts was able to cut back him and score his first goal for the Grecians from a narrow angle. It sealed only the second draw in United's last nine visits to St James' Park.