RONNIE MOORE suffered triple frustration as his Hartlepool United side went out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the first hurdle.

While his side drew 1-1 with Sheffield United – to end a three-game losing streak – they lost on penalties to the Blades.

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And Moore also missed out on making a new signing before Tuesday’s deadline, which proved even more costly as they look like losing right-back Michael Duckworth with a hamstring injury for the next month.

A flat opening 30 minutes was transformed into a positive display from Pools, as Scott Fenwick’s crisp finish put them level at 1-1.

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When it came to penalties, Fenwick was one of two Pools players to miss – Scott Harrison the other.

While for Pools’ Rakish Bingham, Rhys Oates and Nicky Featherstone scored, the Blades had successful strikes from Michael Higdon, Billy Sharp, Marc McNulty and James McEveley to send them through after Martyn Woolford’s effort was saved by Adam Bartlett.

Moore admitted: “For penalties, we find out who the brave ones are – even with 2,000 in it’s still a long way to the penalty spot.

“You want to scream and shout when they miss it, but they have the guts. Pick your spot, don’t change your mind and whack it.

“Two we missed were simple side-footers.

“We missed some key players in there, I cannot fault the effort and commitment and we adapted well – played good, bright counter-attacking football.

“I’m disappointed we are out, but we played a top side today.’’

Pools played Bournemouth at home seven days earlier and they struggled to get near their higher division opposition – it was the same story for 30 minutes on Tuesday night.

The Blades were too sharp for Pools.

Ryan Flynn gave the visitors an early lead, showing composure in the penalty area to turn in after Bartlett saved.

Moore switched formation from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 and they were more effective for it. They lacked leaders at the back early on, but then Harrison and Harry Worley started to dominate and look like a solid pairing.

It was 45 minutes before Pools created a chance, Duckworth checking back onto his left foot to curl a shot just wide of the far post.

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And they levelled with a speedy break.

Bingham got away and, while surrounded by visiting defenders, he was alert enough to spot Fenwick who hit a fine first-time shot curling home.

Moore said: “Bingham can score goals and create - clever and bright and he picked out Scott Fenwick well, made it so simple and the finish was top drawer.’’

From then on it was an open game. Jake Carroll blasted a shot wide from distance, while at the other end Woolford was a danger.

He was denied by a fine Duckworth tackle, but the full-back was in the process. His replacement, Josh Nearney, slotted in at right back and can be pleased with his first-team debut.

Bartlett then saved a Woolford effort with his legs from close range. The goalkeeper managed one shoot-out save, denying Woolford again, but the Blades knocked Pools out of the competition for the second season in a row.

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Moore admitted: “I’ve tried like mad to get someone in, we were close to a midfielder and it fell through last minute.

“Ducks could be out for a while, it could be four to six weeks we don’t know yet.

“We missed some key players in there, I cannot fault the effort and commitment and we adapted well – played good, bright counter-attacking football.

“I’m disappointed we are out, but we played a top side today.’’

Goals: Flynn (7, 0-1); Fenwick (51, 1-1)

Penalties: Bingham 1-0; Higdon 1-1; Oates 2-1; Sharp 2-2; Harrison missed 2-2; McNulty 2-3; Fenwick saved 2-3; Woolford saved 2-3; Feathertstone scored 3-3; McEveley 3-4

Bookings: Worley (51, foul); McEveley (90, foul)

Referee: Scott Duncan (Newcastle) 6

Attendance: 2,221

Entertainment: ****

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (3-5-2): Bartlett 8; Worley 7, Harrison 7, Jones 6; Duckworth 7 (Nearney 63, 6), Featherstone 6, Carroll 6, Hawkins 6 (Nelson-Addy 90); Bingham 7, Fenwick 6, Oates 6.

Subs (not used): Denton (gk), Oyenuga, Nelson-Addy, Nearney, Smith.

SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-4-2): Long 6; Alcock 6, McGahey 6, Kennedy 6 (Sharp 86), McEverley 6; Basham 6, Wallace 7, Flynn 7 (Campbell-Ryce 72), Woolford 7; McNulty 5, Hidgon 6.

Subs (not used): Howard (gk), Collins, Sammon.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Duckworth – will be badly missed by Pools with his hamstring injury.