WHEN Carlisle scored three goals to win at Victoria Park last season it cost the manager his job. This time after the same happened, the only things Ronnie Moore was losing were his sanity and patience.

Colin Cooper walked away last October after a 3-0 loss. Ronnie Moore simply left feeling confused and bewildered after Pools shipped three goals to the Cumbrians for the third successive meeting.

“It’s not all doom and gloom, but it’s disappointing. We don’t want to lose a game when you are in front with 20 minutes to go.

“First scenario on that case is you don’t lose. You defend right, you work hard,’’ he said.

Twice leading, twice pegged back and then they threw it away in a game that was entertaining throughout, full of vim and vigour.

But it was also full of errant defending and, when Pools failed at the back, the Cumbrians took advantage.

In Jabo Ibehre they have a striker who already has a healthy nine goals to his name this season. He won’t get two more straight-forward goals than he got on Saturday.

It should have been all about Carlisle’s former striker after Billy Paynter put Pools ahead from the penalty spot with 20 minutes to go. Instead Ibehre finished Pools off, or more so the home side imploded.

How Pools missed Carl Magnay after he was forced off at half-time with a knock. His shrewd reading of the game in the midfield in front of the back four is vital, as is his eye for a pass.

Nicky Feathertsone was asked to play deeper, and with Ebby Nelson-Addy introduced at the break, Pools were short in midfield.

The Cumbrians played with wide men pressed forward against a team without natural midfield protection out wide and the delivery from Danny Grainger in particular was a problem.

Scott Harrison’s shot on the turn gave Pools a lead they held until the second-half. Granted they were a bit fortunate to keep their advantage as, just like Morecambe did on the opening day, the visitors created too many chances.

Ibehre levelled when Jason Kennedy broke on the left side of Pools’ defence and picked out the striker, who had three players around him and none of them put in as much as a challenge.

Paynter’s penalty came after Kennedy grappled with Scott Fenwick in the area as they lined up for a free-kick. After being warned by referee Andy Haines, Kennedy still wouldn’t let go.

Paynter loved scoring against the club and his passionate celebration, played out in front of Keith Curle, the Carlisle boss who treated him so badly last season, said it all.

But the lead didn’t last. Jake Carroll was awol from left back and Nelson-Addy allowed Tom Miller to check back and swing a ball over which ended in the net. Cross or shot? Only Miller knows.

Pools lost their composure and shape. They needed to show character, but instead they folded.

Ibehere had two shots blocked before he netted again. Fenwick was weak in being bundled off the ball – he should have cleared before being barged off it – and Grainger picked out the top scorer in English football.

Moore admitted: “We are too soft at times, I didn’t think we were, but we were here.

“See the game out, go and win it 3-1. They will push up and try and get back into it and then pick them off.

“We got caught out at Stevenage – pressing for a leveller, a long ball catches us out and we are two-down.

“But I still think if we defend the lad Miller for the second goal, do that right, they don’t score and then we are in front.

“That goal gave them the lift and put us under pressure. We didn’t have anyone to stand up to them when they put balls in the box.

“It’s been a good start, but we can’t like on three wins we need another 41 points. Sooner we get it the sooner we relax and kick-on. That’s your target.’'

He added: “They’ve not played football – it’s boom, bang, bang balls into our box. There’s no secret formula, just boshed it all day and smashed it up to us.

“There’s been some hard words said and we put it right and get back to winning. But you have to keep clean sheets.

“Defensively we creaked at the back and you have to make sure you do it right.’’