Cooper's Job Hangs By A Thread After Loss

Hartlepool United manager Neale Cooper's job hangs by a thread after defeat to Crawley.

Injuries to Peter Hartley and Paul Murray saw Sam Collins and Simon Walton return to the first team lineup, while James Poole replaced Ritchie Humphreys as Pools welcomed Crawley to the Vic.

Pools looked more eager to get the ball down in the opening phases of he game but found themselves behind after a quarter of an hour.

Pools twice failed to clear their lines and when Simon Walton's weak header fell to Hope Akpan on the edge of he area, the Crawley man had no trouble controlling the ball and firing past Scott Flinders.

As in recent games, Flinders pulled off several good saves to keep Pools in the match. At the other end of the field, the home side did little to test the visitors and were booed off at the break.

The second half began in a similar fashion, all of Pools' best chances coming from set plays. Neil Austin force a good save from the Crawley stopper but Simon Walton and then substitute Nathan Luscombe's efforts left a lot to be desired.

Austin had another long range effort and Steve Howard headed harmlessly over later in the game but it was Crawley who left Victoria Park with full points, without ever getting out of second gear.

FT: Hartlepool 0 Crawley 1

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