Hartlepool United lost 2-0 at home to Exeter with a desperate performance in a tedious game.

The Grecians, on a horrible North-East day, won a game of few openings.

Alex Nicholls scored the opener on 36 minutes. Joel Grant picked up the ball on the edge of his own area and was allowed to turn and run clear. He fed Lee Holmes and his cross from the left was met by Nicholls, whose flicked header beat keeper Trevor Carson.

It was the only attack of any note from the visitors, and it was only in the second half that the struggling home side managed to press.

Substitute Nathan Thomas was Pools liveliest performer.

He should have scored on 52 minutes, pushing a low shot wide after a positive surge into the penalty area.

A low cross bounced up in front of Christian Riberio, but the defender chested the ball into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.

Jake Carroll fired low into Olejnik – a rare Pools shot on goal – before the second arrived. 

A swift counter attack on 87 minutes saw Jayden Stockley cross and Grant swiped in from close range off the underside of the crossbar.