Hartlepool United suffered their fifth league defeat of the season, losing 2-1 away to Altrincham. A goal nine minutes from time by former Hartlepool midfielder Tom Crawford sealed the result and intensified the pressure on manager Lee Clark. The loss leaves Hartlepool 16th in the standings with nine points from eight games, having now lost three consecutive matches. This poor run of form, which includes just one win in their last five, began after a brief respite with a home win over Woking.
Team changes and early setback
Lee Clark made two changes to his defence for the trip to Moss Lane, with Jay Benn returning to the back line and Cam John also coming into the side. They were without the suspended Neo Eccleston and the absent Max Kouogun and Corey McKeown. West Bromwich Albion loanee Cole Deeming was handed his full debut. Altrincham took the lead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute, Kane Hemmings converting. Hartlepool found an equaliser just before the break when Jamie Miley scored his first goal for the club, finishing from a Brooklyn Ilunga assist two minutes before halftime.
Hunter dismissal and decisive blow
The game turned against Hartlepool in the 72nd minute when captain Jack Hunter was sent off for a second bookable offence. Playing with ten men, Hartlepool conceded the winner with nine minutes remaining. Tom Crawford, who left Victoria Park in the summer, struck to complete a miserable afternoon. "It came back to haunt Pools and heap more pressure on boss Lee Clark," Crawford said after the match. The defeat means Hartlepool have scored only six goals in eight league games this term, a key factor in their lowly league position. Their next chance to stop the slide comes quickly, with a home fixtures against Worthing on Saturday, a key match to try and reverse their recent form.
Further reading: Hartlepool Mail
