Paul Murray sacked by Hartlepool after Cup exit at hands of Blyth Spartans

The 38-year-old former Pools midfielder had just seven games in the Victoria Park hot-seat having taken over from Colin Cooper, but oversaw five defeats, one win and a draw during his brief reign with the club, who sit bottom of League Two and six points adrift of safety.

Assistant manager Willie Donachie has also left, with Sam Collins placed in temporary charge.

Jarret Rivers had scored a 90th minute winner for the non-league side to earn his place in Cup history.

The 21-year-old, who works in his mum's newsagent, broke up the right flank before slotting in a low shot.

Jonathan Franks had put Hartlepool ahead just after the half-hour mark, but Stephen Turnbull's free kick levelled things 11 minutes into the second half.

Hartlepool - currently bottom of League Two - created plenty of chances, but were unable to convert before they were sucker-punched late on.

Blyth Spartans fans and players won't care about the balance of play, however - they will be too busy celebrating their passage to the third round and a possible clash against a top flight club.

The game had been billed a potential shock in the pre-match build-up, but Hartlepool dominated the first half at Victoria Park and took a deserved lead in the 31st minute when striker Franks headed home at the far post.

The League Two strugglers spurned several clear-cut chances to double their lead before the interval and they were made to pay for their profligacy when Spartans midfielder Turnbull curled home a delightful free-kick 11 minutes after the interval to level the scores.

Marlon Harewood thought he had bundled home Hartlepool's second in the 66th minute as Blyth goalkeeper Peter Jeffries fumbled his shot on the turn, but, while replays suggested all of the ball had crossed the line, referee Andrew Madley was unmoved.

Blyth, who reached the fifth round in 1977-78 and third round in 2008-09, grew in confidence as the second half wore on and in the final minute they were rewarded for their spirited endeavour.

Striker Rivers skipped past a challenge from left-back Dan Jones, ran into the Hartlepool area and fired a low shot across Pools keeper Scott Flinders and into the net.

Hartlepool had six minutes of added time in which to find an equaliser and they very nearly did when centre-back Matthew Bates took aim from the edge of the area, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar before being hacked to safety.