TWELVE months ago and Wycombe floundered against relegation, securing an unlikely survival on the final day of the season.

Today, after completing a quick double over Hartlepool United they sit top of League Two. It shows what can be achieved, it should give some hope to Pools.

Instead, this was just another routine defeat. Their 16th of the season, their 12th without a win, their 14th game without a clean sheet and it leaves them further adrift than ever.

Ten points – and an embarrassing goal difference of minus 26 – short of the safety line. Never mind promotion form to survive, it’s going to take a championship-winning run of results.

Boss Ronnie Moore said after last weekend’s defeat to Morecambe that he couldn’t go to war with the current crop of players.

He managed to get three new signings in for this one, albeit after rejections galore – after all, who exactly wants to join a club in such a precarious position?

But his three signings all did well, all offered more than others have in the past.

Scott Harrison brought some strength and leadership to the back four, Aaron Tshibola offered some willingness and forward movement to the midfield, while Rakish Bingham was swift and lively up front.

If, as planned, he can get at least two more players in for the weekend, then the home game with Cheltenham may be one Pools can actually win.

The same failings persist and it will take longer to sort the ream of issues out. Delivery into the area from wide was as disappointing as ever, they conceded a goal which good teams would have prevented and again chances in front of goal were at a premium.

But even Chairboys boss Gareth Ainsworth could see the improvement in Pools. They won 3-1 at Victoria Park at the end of November during Paul Murray’s tenure and Ainsworth said: “The team we faced up at Hartlepool fell away last time, this time they went stronger and they will cause problems for teams.

“They won’t be far away for Ronnie’s first win and I’m just happy it wasn’t against us.”

Moore, four games into his spell, said: “It’s difficult, but there was an improvement. We saw a better display out there.

“They did well, but we made mistakes. The defence looked strong. Scott came in and did well and young Dan Jones gets better and better.

“Overall, when you look at what you are playing against, we defended well. They missed chances and put them over the bar but that was because we put them under pressure.

“That was pleasing .It’s not all rosy and we know where to put it right, hopefully we can get that elusive win next weekend.’’

The only goal saw Pools picked off too easily. From an attack of their own, Michael Duckworth ran into a tackle in the home penalty area, a couple of passes later and Fred Onyedinma took a pass in space and cracked past Scott Flinders.

Moore said: “Michael probably made the wrong pass, Aussie shouldn’t have gone in like he did and make it easy and Scotty shouldn’t really been beaten at the near post.’’

It’s all about decision making and Pools constantly make the wrong ones.

Jack Compton broke down the right flank in space, but instead of being direct, he needlessly checked back and played a wasteful square pass straight to the home defenders.

When the Chairboys attacked, they tried to get at Pools. Set-play delivery from Joe Jacobson was always a threat.

Harrison and Jones were firm at the back and showed promise as a pairing. The back four was better with Matthew Bates in midfield and the tight three-man unit in there did a job.

Bates wasn’t exposed as he is at the back and Moore hinted a midfield role could be the way ahead for him.

He said: “It’s difficult for Matthew Bates in there, he’s not trained for a couple of days and has been sick and if we want to play in a certain way, then there’s a role for him in there. All the young lads want to bomb on and they don’t know how to defend, so you need someone in there with experience.

“I think maybe we need to get a couple of pound off him and then we can get a job in there for him.’’

Lewis Hawkins was sent-off, collecting two bookings in three second-half minutes and Pools went close to an equaliser when Tshibola headed against the frame of the goal.