Blackpool 1, Hartlepool 2

Scorers: (Blackpool) Morrison 75 (Hartlepool) Miller 26, Hendeson 58

IT is now three defeats in a row in the league for Pool after a disappointing performance against Hartlepool.

Brett Ormerod replaced Paul Simpson and joined John Murphy and Mike Newell in the Seasiders attack.

Andy Morrison returned in replace of Eifion Jones and Phil barnes was preferred as keeper with Caig out of the squad completely.

A promising start by Pool saw them gain three free kicks within the first five minutes. But with no Paul Simpson they came to nothing.

Andy Morrison nearly made a dream start a minute later but his shot had too much curl on it and flashed wide.

More Blackpool pressure followed with two corners but while they were beginning to look comfortable, Hartlepool went ahead with a ridiculous goal. A long ball was played and Phil Barnes rushed out his area to head it away. But then it seemed he liked his new position at centre back so he stayed there and when the ball dropped to Hartlepool's Tommy Miller seconds later he had an empty net. 1-0. Heaven knows what Barnes was at thinking but when he did get back it was too late.

The second half started as the first did: uneventful and scrappy. But again, out of the blue Hartlepool doubled their lead on 58 minutes. It was another weak goal, this time Kevin Hendeson punished Blackpool after they failed to clear a corner.

Blackpool had it all to do but to their credit, they eventually started to look dangerous after a poor 10 minutes preceeding the second goal. A double substitution brought Phil Clarkson and Neil Murphy into play and it only looked a matter of time before Pool would strike back. And Blackpool didn't disappoint, Andy Morrison pulled one back on 75 minutes. He drilled the ball towards goal after a corner want properly cleared. His shot got a deflection which gave Hartlepool keeper Anthony Williams no chance.

The goal gave Blackpool hope and they pounded the Hartlepool goal for the next 10 minutes. A minute after the goal Blackpool surely should have been given a penalty after the ball was blatantly handled in the Blackpool penalty area. But Blackpool were forced to carry on and they continued to create chances. The best of these opportunities came to Brett Ormerod who walked through the defence with dazzling skill. But his chip over the keeper agonizingly scrapped the angle of post of bar, dropped on the goal-line and spun wide for a goal kick.

You have to look hard to find any plus's that could be extracted from this match. Probably Richard Wellens's performance was the most promising. Although a few mistakes haunted his performance, he looks set to be a great player for Pool

Team: Phil Barnes, Tommy Jaszczun, Andy Morrison, Ian Hughes, Danny Coid, Steve Bushell, Richard Wellens, Mike Milligan, Brett Ormerod, Mike Newell, John Murphy. Subs Clarkson for Milligan (79) Murphy for Newell (1)