HARTLEPOOL UNITED failed to build on Tuesday’s win at Cambridge as they fell to their first home defeat in six games.

Pools went down 2-0 to Wycombe – the ninth time in ten meetings Pools have been beaten by the Chairboys.

And that record never looked like improving in a game which seemed to pass Pools by in the main. Defeat against well-drilled and effective opposition left a sense of missed opportunity.

The opening goal came when Adebayo Akinfenwe took a deft touch to control the ball on the edge of the area, brushed off Scott Harrison and drove a low finish past Joe Fryer.

Pools had two first-half penalty appeals knocked back, the second of which looked a clear handball in the six-yard area after a deep Pools corner was headed towards goal by Brad Walker.

Referee David Webb didn’t have the most convincing of games.

Pools chased a second-half leveller, seeking the same sort of comeback which brought victory over Exeter two weeks earlier.

Their best chance came when Lewis Alessandra broke away and looked to feed Padraig Amond, only for Michael Woods to get in his way and the chance went begging.

In the sort of game which felt like one goal would bring an instant other, it was a wasted opening.

Scott Harrison  had a low and deep header clawed away by keeper Nick Blackman, and on 90 minutes, Pools failed to clear with any conviction and Paris Cowan-Hall darted past Nicky Deverdics to shoot low into the far corner.

Cowan-Hall was then red-carded after tangling with Harrison.