MANAGEMENT was looking so easy for Mike Newell.

Two minutes to go last night and Hartlepool United's new boss was heading for his second victory since being installed at Victoria Park.

Then a double disaster struck as the siblings of two Newcastle United players netted to unceremoniously dump Pool out of the FA Cup at the first stage.

Marcus Richardson had given Pool the lead - and they were the team creating all the chances only to be continuously denied by an inspired goalkeeper in Darryl Flahavan.

Then on 88 minutes Tes Bramble, brother of Titus, blasted in before Leon Cort - remember Carl? - headed at goal and Anthony Williams somehow let the ball trickle under his body into the net.

"We are top of the League,'' defiantly sang the Pool fans at the final whistle.

They might be, but they are also somehow out of the FA Cup.

Pool went in front at Southend on November 16 with just 52 seconds gone.

Last night it took three seconds longer for Pool to dig out their first glorious chance.

Paul Smith's deep free-kick was nodded at goal by Mark Tinkler and only a full-length block from keeper Flahavan kept out the chance.

Flahaven was soon busy again, pushing out Marcus Richardson's shot, but a mix-up in the Pool defence presented Barrington Belgrave with a chance and after Anthony Williams came to the edge of his area, Tinkler deflected the shot before Brian Barry-Murphy cleared off the line.

Pool lost leading scorer Eifion Williams at the break, suffering from the effects of an earlier clash.

He jostled for possession on the touchline and after falling to the ground appeared to be kicked by a Southend player.

The home crowd were incensed, but referee Howard Webb allowed play to continue. Kevin Maher went unpunished and Adam Boyd came on at half-time.

Newell made his second change on the hour, Steven Istead replacing Paul Arnison - and within minutes Pool were in front.

Smith's 25-yard free-kick flew over the visiting wall and crashed against the bar.

Lee headed the rebound back to goal and Flahavan pushed it back into play off the line only for Richardson to smash in the rebound. But on 88 minutes, Bramble rifled in a 30-yard stinger which flew past Williams for an undeserved leveller.

And seconds later - from their first corner - Cort headed at goal and under Williams' dive from six yards as Pool threw the tie away.

And they only have themselves to blame.

Result: Hartlepool United 1 Southend United 2.

Read more about Hartlepool here.