LOSING games at Victoria Park was a rarity for Mike Newell during his time as Hartlepool United manager, and he kept up his record last night in Luton Town's colours.

Newell's side have led the table all season and they became the first team to win a League One game on Pool's turf this season.

The manager axed after Pool failed to win the Division Three title, despite enjoying a 14-point lead at the top, lost only his first game as Pool boss at Victoria Park.

That was in October 2002 and until his departure in May 2003 he didn't lose again.

He was as emotionless as ever on the sidelines last night, studying the game from the visiting dug out.

But he had plenty to celebrate as his side completed the double over his former employers.

Last season's game was a barnstorming affair, Pool winning it thanks to Hugh Robertson's memorable goal of the season from 35 yards.

There was no Robertson this time, but the early stages indicated something similar as both teams had plenty of defending to do in a lively start.

Pool handed a debut to new signing Jon Daly, up front with Joel Porter, as Adam Boyd played just behind the front men.

Without the swirling wind that helped ruin last Saturday's hopes of a place in the last 16 of the FA Cup, it was Pool who tried to set the tone.

Boyd looked content in his deeper role and the 3-4-3 formation adoped by Neale Cooper worked in the early stages at least - but it wasn't the same story later as their play became too narrow.

Luton were without Steve Howard through suspension. The big front man always seems to score against his old club and he was replaced last night by Enoch Showumni, similar in stature, but without the domineering attributes Howard uses to such good effect.

But it was still the visitors who opened the scoring.

Daly's lay-off to Porter was intercepted by central defender Chris Coyne on the halfway line and he was allowed to run and run and run.

By the time he reached the edge of the penalty area he cracked a low drive into the corner of Dimi Konstantopoulos' goal.

Luton celebrated wildly and manager Newell cut a motionless figure on the bench.

Pool almost hit back straight away, but Nelson's header dropped wide of the post.

Boyd then broke away and, as he looked to play the ball to Porter inside the penalty area, the Aussie crashed to the floor. He claimed he was fouled, but referee Mike Jones was having none of it.

Pool were knocked out of their stride by the goal and they twice failed to clear their lines as Luton pressed, causing more anxiety.

But they could have levelled as Humphreys crossed and Porter, eight yards out, could only turn the ball into the hands of keeper Marlon Beresford.

Daly first impressed on 32 minutes. He took down a long ball and played a deft reverse pass into the path of Antony Sweeney, but the advancing wing back could only hit his effort low across the goal.

There was a scare when Rowan Vine pulled away from Nelson in the penalty area, but he mishit his shot as the ball bounced up.

Luton were now starting to dominate, with Pool unable to impress going forward.

But they missed a good chance to level in injury time. Porter picked up a loose ball deep in his own half and raced 70 yards to the edge of the Luton box. He drew two defenders and passed to Strachan, but his pass lacked pace and Strachan's first time shot was tame.

Just 120 seconds into the second period and Pool should have been two down. Showumni failed to connect with the ball six yards out and when he did at the second attempt, he tamely poked it straight at Konstantopoulos.

But Showumni did score just before the hour mark and it caused a near riot. After Porter was flagged for offside deep into the Luton half, a quick Coyne free-kick sailed the length of the field to the offside-looking Showumni who thumped past Konstantopoulos.

The angry Pool players swarmed around Jones and assistant boss Martin Scott was sent to the stands for protesting.

But there was a brief lifeline on 62 minutes. Keeper Beresford came and flapped at one cross too many and the ball deflected off Sol Davis into his own net.

Fired-up Pool looked for a leveller, but the next goal soon arrived at the other end when Kevin Foley had space to fire across Konstantopoulos from the left side of the area.

Jack Ross was named on the bench last night, after Pool appealed successfully against the red card he received against Brentford.

And he was introduced in midfield for the last 20 minutes in place of Strachan.

Davis almost sliced into his own net for the second time and was a relieved figure to see the ball bounce wide.

Boyd should have reduced the gap on 77 minutes after a lung bursting run from Porter. The Aussie charged through five orange shirts, passed to Boyd on the left side of the area and his floated shot drifted wide. He then chipped over from the edge of the box.

Substitute Matty Robson charged through and dinked his shot over Beresford in injury time, but Pool's nine-game unbeaten run came to an end.