HARTLEPOOL UNITED were dumped out of the FA Cup, losing 3-0 at Morecambe.

They were second best for the majority of the afternoon and never recovered from conceding after only four minutes.

The home side had not scored in four games at the Globe Arena and hadn’t won there since mid-September.

But they went ahead when a long ball found Kevin Ellison and the wily front man struck a low shot past keeper Scott Loach – who had made his first save after only 24 seconds.

The home side started brightly, forcing Pools back and never allowing Pools to settle.

Harrison’s side looked edgy in possession and didn’t create a chance of note in the opening half.

And on 63 minutes they were two-down.

Loach’s rushed clearance was nodded on Rhys Oates only as far as substitute Oliver, who fed midfielder Andrew Fleming, who finished one on one with Loach.

Home keeper Paddy Roche made a decent save from Jon Franks as he met an Oates cross.

But it was three when a low shot from substitute Adam Campbell bounced off the post, hit Loach on the back and bounced in.

Pools were backed by 854 fans in a crowd of little over 2,000 and boss Harrison said: “The fans were louder than ever – they saw the players were working hard and putting it in and taking the game to Morecambe.

“It’s just disappointing as I hate conceding goals and losing. It’s the first time we have been beaten by more than two. I hate to see it. The third is against the run of play

“It’s a frustrating day, I think the first goal has killed us and have them an advantage. We then have to take more risks and takes the game management away from us.

“If we come back at 0-0 like at Torquay at half-time last week, I felt if we could have rode the first ten 15 minutes the pressure turns on them.

“We lost the game in the first seven minutes by not dealing with their intensity. We didn’t manage it well. We started the second half well and they managed it well. We didn’t.’’