HARTLEPOOL UNITED slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Oxford United, Pools second defeat in a week to a promotion-chasing side.

Victory lifted the Us into third spot in League Two, a point and a place behind Accrington, who won 2-1 at Victoria Park on Tuesday.

Pools fell behind on eight minutes, as a cross from the right beat Carl Magnay at the far post, Liam Sercombe’s shot came back off the bar and Kemar Roofe knocked in from close range.

Pools struggled to get a hand on the game in the final third, but enjoyed the majority of possession.

Their only first half opening came when Luke James rolled a shot into the keeper as half-time beckoned.

Oxford started the second period by pressing Pools back and attacking for the first 20 minutes, but only created one real opening when George O’Dowda missed a tap in in front of goal after Alex Macdonald crossed.

Pools then went close as Matthew Bates flicked a header wide from a Nathan Thomas free-kick and the centre-half then had a shot cleared off the line by Sercombe.

And, as the Us killed the game off in injury time by keeping the ball in the corners, they opened up and moved the ball across for Sercombe to attack and knock in to give the score a flattering look for the home side.

Pools boss Craig Hignett said: “First half was very good, but we gave a real sloppy goal away. Second half we had plenty of the game, gave them a goal at the end and we made some wrong decisions.

“They haven’t done anything to score the goals, which is disappoint.

“Teams at the top and in the middle and the difference is the front players and the quality in there.

“First half we had possession, they were moaning and one in front. We didn’t have any end product.