FOR A long time now, Ronnie Moore has looked to Wycombe Wanderers as a benchmark of what can be achieved.

On Saturday he got a close up view of what his Hartlepool United side need to do to make an impact this season – and it doesn’t take much working out.

While Pools struggled last season and scrapped for their lives, the Wanderers were at the top end of League Two.

But it was only the season previous when they stayed up on the last day of the season. It’s been some turnaround by Gareth Ainsworth, who pipped Moore to the League Two manager of the year award last season.

And, unbeaten this season, it would take a brave man to bet against them this time around, but they won’t come up against a defence as generous as Pools.

Against York last month they were up against a barrage of long balls and dealt with it.

Against Carlisle last week they struggled against it. Against Wycombe they didn’t have half as many coming their way, but how they failed as a defensive unit.

The two goals conceded were of similar nature – balls from back to front headed on by a striker for Michael Harriman to cut inside from the right and finish.

While the home side defended their area with some determination, Pools didn’t.

“We will be in all week, no days off, morning and afternoon while we work on shape and the like,’’ warned Moore.

“I don’t want to be, and this club shouldn’t be, going through what we did last year, but we have to get the back line right again and tighten up.’’

Harry Worley suffered in the first-half and was dragged out of position too often, too easily.

Carl Magnay looked the part at right-back, using the ball well and standing firm when tested. Dan Jones was uneasy on the opposite flank, and his direct opponent scored both home goals. Scott Harrison can attack the ball and head it away all day, but he looked like he was always aware he was having to worry about Worley.

With three right-backs now out – Michael Duckworth with a hamstring injury, Jordan Richards with a back problem and now Magnay for three games after his late sending-off, it’s not only about getting the back line organised, it’s also about having the bodies in there.

The Chairboys get their strikers in the channels between the full-backs and centre-halves, they attacked at pace and won the ball too comfortably on occasions.

“The first goal is a lump and a flick on, how can a centre-half be wrong side of an attacker in the box?’’ asked Moore. “The second and we let an attacker come inside and shoot – you can’t do that, show him the other way.

“Yes he’s a right-footer, but he’s fired in on his left foot.

“There’s nothing in the game, neither keeper has had to make many saves. It’s young, inexperienced defenders in there. Harry, Dan, Scotty they are all learning the game – there’s no dominant leader or experience. They are four individuals rather than a group.

“Play your own game, not as a unit, and you have players stepping up while others are dropping deep.

“Harry found himself out wide at times and was left for dead. You can’t get dragged out of position.’’

It’s quite a damning indictment from Moore, who has already warned of a tough September ahead.

The first half could have been 5-3 to the Chairboys, such was the open nature of it all.

Chances were wasted at both ends before Harriman latched onto a knock down to crack in a first-time shot.

Pools levelled as Magnay charged forward with intent to get into the home area and net his first goal.

But they lost it when Worley inexplicably failed to put a challenge in on Garry Thompson for a high ball, and Harriman went by Jones to curl in. The goal means Pools have lost eight successive games to the Chairboys.

Magnay was dismissed for a grapple on the floor and Pools said they could appeal.

“There’s disappointment with the goals we conceded, this was a chance to win a game. But we can’t defend and the two goals are astonishing.

“First one, long ball from the back, flicked on and they score. Second, should have been a free-kick to us, instead they break ball falls for him and he scored.

“We huffed and puffed second half. First-half we could have gone in front 2-1 at half-time when Billy hits the spot.

“If you can’t defend, then you lose. We have to put it right, it’s not about creating chances, but doing the job you have to go.’’