HARTLEPOOL UNITED’S unbeaten League Two start to the season ended, as they fell to a flat 2-1 home defeat to Notts County.

Four points on the road in the last week appeared to set Pools up for a positive home performance, but it proved the opposite as they were picked off by the visitors.

This was a tame performance from Pools following two impressive shows at Exeter and Crewe.

They took the lead on eight minutes, with a goal from centre-half Toto Nsiala, who bundled in a corner from close range.

Notts could have levelled when Jon Stead got in on goal, but was denied as Trevor Carson divered his finish onto the bar.

On 36 minutes, Pools had a great chance to make it two. Matthew Bates moved forward from defence, and was picked out in the area by Billy Paynter. The defender’s first time volley struck the inside of the post and rebounded to safety.

Pools never kicked into gear in the second half and were picked off by the visitors.

After Stead hit a post, they levelled when a corner was returned to the area and centre-half Louis Laing netted.

Some 11 minutes later, after the leveller, Notts won it. Laing was allowed to bring the ball out of defence, and picked out Stead in the area to curl in from an angle.

Pools rolled some balls across the penalty area, but without anyone on the end to convert as they chased the game.

Defender Carl Magnay was substituted with a rib injury and will need an X-ray, amid fears he has suffered a cracked rib.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2): Carson; Magnay (Richards 22), Bates, Nsiala, Carroll; Thomas, Featherstone, Woods (Laurent 86), Alessandra; Amond, Paynter (Hawkins 70). Subs: Bartlett (gk), Bartlett, Jones,Laurent, Deverdics, Oates.

NOTTS COUNTY (4-4-2): Collin, Duffy, Laing, Dickinson, Tootle; O’Connor, Aborah (Smith 62), Rodman, Campbell; Stead (Aufel 90), Forte (Oliver 62). Subs: Loach (gk), Smith, Hollis, Snijders, Oliver, Burke.

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Preston)

Attendance: 3708