With no goals conceded in their opening two games, it was a major disappointment that Dons, for so long in control , let their English hosts win the game despite scoring three times. In an in counter spoiled by rival fans clashing inside the ground, it was Aberdeen who certainly looked the more impressive in the first half, after surviving some early pressure from Hartlepool. Eoin Jess opened the scoring after a brilliant move set up by Guntveit and Winters.

Aberdeen continued to dominate and went two ahead after 35 minutes when Arild Stavrum's half volley seemed to put the Dons on the way to victory. However, it was a case of last season revisited as the Aberdeen gifted a goal to Hartlepool striker Craig Midgley. It was a game that was punctured with substitutes, and Hartlepool made no less than six changes. Aberdeen were without Derek Whyte, David Lilley and Russell Anderson, who were withdrawn at half time. It was an experimental Dons rearguard that was to struggle in the latter stages, but not before Kevin Henderson levelled matters in 50 minutes.

Thomas Solberg scored the Dons third goal, his deflected shot deceiving Pool' keeper Tony Williams, to restore the visitors lead, but a dramatic collapse in the final stages let in Strodder and Midgley to give the English side a deserved victory over the piece.