The Trapdoor is opening

Ronnie Moore and his lads are drinking at the last chance saloon. A desperately disappointing 3-1 home defeat by Stevenage undid all the bhard work in overcoming Northampton in midweek  and Pools are back hopelessly adrift ..

After a bright start by the home side Stevanage's mobile forwards threatened throughout and, while they had some good fortune for their final two goals, they were well worth the win.

Home hearts had been lifted when Scott Fenwick equalised after coming off the bench in the second half. He slipped as the ball came to him in the box and scuffed his shot but it bobbled acropss the goal and in at the corner.

Surely, we thought, this is it! But no, Stevenage regained the lead when a through ball fpound a lone striker looking suspiciously offside and he took the opportunity.

Then Flinders parried a shot only to see it balloon high into the air and bounce into the net as Pools' despairing defenders tried to reach it.

It was really hard luck - specially on Michael Woods who was the best player on the pitch with his fellow midfielder Tshibola not far behind.. They deserve more fluent forwards to play alongside, and a better pitch on which to ply their trade. The Vic surface has never been as bad since rugby was also played on it.

Pools : Flinders , Duckworth, Harrison, Mirfin, Austin, Franks, Tshibola, Woods, Compton, Harewood (Fenwick, 45), Morgan (J. Jones, 75).

Subs (Not Used): Maxted, Richards, D Jones, Walker, Featherstone.

Goal: Fenwick (50)

Stevenage: Day, Dembele, Wells, Bond, Whelpdale, Walton , Parrett (Lee, 77), Kennedy (D. Johnson, 88), Deacon, Martin (Andrade, 70), Beardsley.

Subs (Not Used): Beasant, Zola, Pett, R Johnson.

Goals: Martin (38), Kennedy (52, 65)