Defeat At Crewe Leaves Hartlepool Adrift

Hartlepool United are now four points from safety after extending their winless run to seven games.

Hartlepool United boss Neale Cooper thrust loan signing Ryan Noble straight into the first team following his switch from Sunderland as Pools traveled to Crewe.

Pools were thumped 5-0 by the Railwaymen on the opening day of the season but started the game in much better fashion.

Evan Horwood - an early replacement for the injured Andy Monkhouse - struck home with only his second touch to give the visitors the lead.

But, as has been the case on too many occasions this season, Pools were unable to hold on to the lead.

Crewe were handed the perfect chance to level when Peter Hartley handled the ball in the area. It was a harsh decision to award a penalty and justice was done as Mathias Pogba blazed his effort over the bar.

But the goal did come when Chuks Aneke sent a great effort past Scott Flinders on the stroke of half time.

Into the second half, Crewe took the lead for the first time in the game when defender Mark Ellis poked home in a crowded area.

Pools could have leveled when Neil Austin's effort bounced back off the bar, but instead Pools were condemned to yet another defeat.

FT: Crewe 2 Hartlepool 1 Pools: Flinders, Austin, Baldwin, Hartley, Holden, Franks (Lynch 80), Murray, Sweeney, Monkhouse (Horwood 8), Noble (Poole 80), Howard
Subs not used: McHugh, Collins, Humphreys, James

Crewe: Martin, Tootle, Davis, Ellis, Clayton (Turton 89), Murphy, Pogba, Leitch Smith (Dugdale 90+2), Mellor, Aneke (Daniels 80), Bond
Subs not used: Garratt, Robertson, Ray, Waters

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