HARTLEPOOL UNITED’S wait for an away win rumbles on as they lost 2-1 at Colchester United.

Pools have not won on the road since October 1, but they gave a performance which was much improved on many of their away showings in recent weeks and months.

It means, however, they have now lost their last five away games.

They will hope for better fortunes with back to back home games to come this week against Crewe (Tuesday) and Exeter (Saturday).

After an even first-half, Pools went in at the break level and they were rarely troubled.

Keeper Joe Fryer saved well after Pools failed to clear a corner with any conviction, in the only time he was called into first-half action.

But as the home side upped the pace in the second-half, they pressed Pools back.

Dave Jones’ side were playing on the break, but they lost possession in their own half and a cross to the near post was converted by Guthrie on 63 minutes.

And Pools were undone when Liam Donnelly touched Guthrie in the area and referee Ben Toner awarded a soft penalty.

Chris Porter converted high past Fryer.

Pools responded brightly and pressed for a way back into it. They did reduce the gap when Nathan Thomas pushed home an angled finish.

And they had some momentum, looking for a leveller, until referee Ben Toner inexplicably killed the game to take the sting out of Pools.

Jones said: “We made it hard for ourselves – a poor goal to give away after going two up.

“Fair play to Hartlepool they countered well. It was quality for the opening goal, a bit of old-fashioned play really.

“For long spells we were the better team, but lapses in concentration cost us and we conceded poor goals.

“In control of the game and you have to get your goal and not give them away, but I’ve said before it seems to be the trait at this club and we have to change it.''

COLCHESTER UNITED (3-4-1-2): Walker; Briggs, Elokibi, James; Brindley (Wright 70), Murray, Garvin, Dickenson; Murray; Porter (Fosu 80), Guthrie (Pyke 90). Subs: Barnes, Vincent-Young, Wynter, Edge.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-5-1): Fryer; Richardson, Walker, Harrison, Donnelly; Thomas, Woods, Featherstone, Alessandra (Hawkins 79), Oates (Rooney 79); Amond. Subs: Smith, Martin, Hawkes, Dudzinski (gk).