HARTLEPOOL UNITED suffered more misery at home, going down 1-0 to Blackpool.

Pools also blew the chance of a late leveller, as Lewis Alessandra blazed a penalty high over the bar. 

Pools did well and had plenty of first-half possession. Finding a way through the defence to trouble keeper Sam Slocombe was a different matter.

Josh Laurent sent a shot into the keeper from 20 yards and the best chance of a scrappy opening 45 minutes – in which 16 free-kicks were awarded – was from a Pools’ break.

Lewis Hawkins played in Lewis Alessandra, but when he got into the area he checked back onto his right foot and his shot was blocked.

The Tangerines’ best effort came when Mark Cullen’s shot was well and firmly blocked by Liam Donnelly.

Pools’ keeper Trevor Carson saved brilliantly on 47 minutes. A swift break saw Brad Potts cross for Kyle Vassell, who picked his spot with a firm header only for Carson to keep it out.

The home side almost took the lead on 61 minutes. Rhys Oates created an opening on the right, crossed and Alessandra’s low first-time shot fizzed low past the post with Slocombe

But the Tangerines won it on 64 minutes. A swift counter attack saw the ball played over the top for Cullen to confidently net.

Pools should have levelled on 84 minutes, awarded a penalty after defender Tom Aldred handballed in the area.

Alessandra, however, ballooned the ball high over the bar from 12 yards.

Pools have not scored a goal in over a month.