GOAL-SHY Hartlepool United’s struggles continued as they were thumped 4-0 at Portsmouth.

With only 19 goals from 20 games this season, Pools were unable to convert any of the chances they created at Fratton Park and paid the price.

Pompey put six past York in their last home game and could have done the same again.

Pools did, to their credit, stifle the home side for half an hour, but the pressure was taking a toll.

The opener came when Kyle Bennett had the ball on the edge of the area, and curled a shot into the top corner.

The second was an own goal from on loan defender Adam Jackson, who diverted a low cross into his own net.

Pools changed to a 4-4-2 to stem the Pompey tide for the second-half and, for a while it worked.

Scott Fenwick had a chance, but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet before being crowded out with his back to goal in the penalty area, and Nicky Featherstone failed to get a shot away after tricking his way into the penalty area under pressure.

Goalkeeper Trevor Carson saved to deny Marc McNulty, but defenders stood off as Gareth Evans cracked a low shot in.

And the fourth came from a counter-attack, clinically finished by McNulty.

Ronnie Moore admitted: “We never performed, we were never in the game really. The goals were given on a plate – self-destruct.

“Two-down and the next goal is so crucial. We messed about in clearing it and it ends up in the net, three-nil. That was the killer.

“We have to do the right things in the right areas, make the right decisions and hopefully it works for you. Today it didn’t work for us.’’

PORTSMOUTH: Murphy; Davies, Burgess (Clarke 85), Webster, Stevens; Hollands, Doyle; Bennett (Tollitt 76), McNulty, Evans; Lavery (McGurk 80). Subs: Bass (gk), Chaplin, Clarke, Close, Haunstrup.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3): Carson; Duckworth, Jackson, Bates, Carroll; Magnay (Walker 75), Featherstone, Gray; Bingham, Fenwick (Mandron 75), Oates. Subs: Bartlett (gk), Harrison, Woods, Richards, Smith.

Referee: Chris Sarginson (Stoke)

Attendance: 15,610