Rovers Desperately Unlucky to Lose in Hartlepool

Mark Ridgway reports on Tranmere's 1-0 away defeat at Hartlepool United on Saturday afternoon in a game which also saw substitute Charlie Barnett sent off late on which will mean he is suspended for Tranmere's next match at home to Swindon Town next Saturday....

Hartlepool Utd 1 - 0 Tranmere R

  Hartley 43

                                 Attendance: 3,428

Rovers somehow came away from Victoria Park empty handed on Saturday despite being the better side throughout as they also ended the game with ten men when Charlie Barnett saw red late on.

Les Parry named an unchanged side in his third game in charge meaning  the team looked like this:

Martin

Logan, Goodison, Broomes, Bakayogo

Edds, McLaren, Welsh

Gornell, Thomas-Moore, Curran

Rovers dominated early on and their first chance came when Terry Gornell's header was well saved by Flinders in the Pools goal.  Soon after Gareth Edds had a header cleared from the goal line.

Adam Boyd had Hartlepool's first chance when his over head kick went harmlessly over whilst at the other end Thomas-Moore had an effort saved by Flinders.

John Welsh sent a decent volley just over the bar but with their next attack the hosts scored the opening goal when Richie Jones swung the ball in and McLaren got a touch on which allowed Paul Hartley to head in at the back post.

Half Time: Hartlepool United 1 - 0 Tranmere Rovers

Rovers started the half well and Ian Goodison should have connected with a John Welsh cross then soon after Craig Curran curled an effort just wide.

Hartley shot wide for Hartlepool whilst Curran's cross had to be tipped over the crossbar before Chris Shuker and Charlie Barnett were brought on as substitutes in place of Terry Gornell and John Welsh.

Shuker shot across the face of goal before the third and final substitution was made when Kithson Bain was brought on for Craig Curran as Rovers threw caution to the wind.

In the Rovers goal, Martin had to keep out efforts from Humphreys and Behan but Rovers quest to get back in the game became less likely when Charlie Barnett was sent for an early bath for a fairly innocuous challenge which seemed harsh.

Despite some late Rovers pressure, Hartlepool held out for an undeserved victory.

Full Time: Hartlepool United 1 - 0 Tranmere Rovers