Hartlepool United 1 Doncaster Rovers 1: Jones turns from the villain to hero but Saunders feels robbed

The home side looked on course for victory when Neil Austin converted a second-half penalty, awarded for a foul on veteran striker Steve Howard.

In response, James Harper volleyed just wide and Scott Flinders saved David Cotterill’s long-range shot before Jones headed home Cotterill’s free-kick with two minutes to play.

Saunders claimed: “We got robbed. I said to the players before the game that the only way we should lose a game like this is through bad luck or a dodgy ref. We got both.

“We managed to get a point out of the game and we haven’t laid down but we should have won the game in the first 20 minutes when we squandered good chances. They gained confidence from it.

“I still feel sorry for the players because it’s just a terrible refereeing decision that’s cost them.”

Doncaster had been looking for their first win at Victoria Park since 1996-97 against a Hartlepool side who have now gone nine matches in all competitions without a victory.

Howard headed over from a ninth-minute corner, suffering a facial injury in the build-up and having to have a spell of treatment before being able to continue.

Kyel Bennett finally tested the home goalkeeper with a low 25-yarder after cutting in from the left and Brown headed wide from Cotterill’s cross on 25 minutes.

United were forced to make a change on 36 minutes, Poole replacing the limping Horwood and he went close with his first touch – a 20-yarder which hit the foot of the post with Gary Woods beaten.

United finished the half on top, though Bennett shot wide with a snap-shot from the edge of the area with virtually the last kick of the half.

United forced the pace again and Saunders made a change on 66 minutes, teenager Jordan Ball – the hero of Tuesday’s win over Chesterfield – replacing Billy Paynter.

Jones fouled Howard on 70 minutes to concede the penalty which full-back Austin converted but he atoned on 89 minutes when he headed home at the far post from Cotterill’s free-kick.

Hartlepool United: Flinders, Austin, Baldwin, Hartley, Holden, Franks, Sweeney, Murray, Horwood (Poole 36), Noble (Wyke 58), Howard, Wyke (Humphreys 81). Unused substitutes: McHugh, Collins, Walton, Richards.

Doncaster Rovers: G Woods, Quinn, Martis (Husband 80), R Jones, Spurr, Bennett, Syers, Harper, Cotterill, Brown (Keegan 86), Paynter (Ball 66). Unused substitutes: Sullivan, M Woods, Blake, Mi Woods.

Referee: G Scott (Oxfordshire).

Man of the match: David Cotterill.