HARTLEPOOL UNITED remain eight points above the League Two drop zone, despite a harsh 2-1 defeat at Blackpool.

The three teams below them – Orient, Newport and Cheltenham – all lost so Pools stay with their heads above water.

Pools took the lead on 18 minutes through Lewis Alessandra. As Padraig Amond headed on, the ball bounced in the area, Alesssandra took possession with his back to goal, turned and drilled in his ninth goal of the season.

But the lead only lasted three minutes.

A cross from the right floated to the far post, Osayi-Samuel looked to bring the ball down with an arm, but the referee Darren England was having none of it and the attacker was granted enough time to bring the ball down and fire a low, angled shot past Joe Fryer.

A big scramble in the home area almost brought the lead back for Pools, but it ended with a low stop for keeper Dean Lyness.

Alessandra cracked a 20-yard effort at goal which Lyness tipped over.

Mark Cullen got in between defenders Scott Harrison and Brad Walker and rolled his low finish across goal and wide.

Pools had a penalty call knocked back when Mellor’s arm blocked a low Nathan Thomas cross.

The visitors then enjoyed their best spell of chances. As Thomas was wiped out, the ball fell for Padraig Amond and his low finish was diverted wide when he should have scored.

From the corner, Walker’s header was nodded off the line in front of the 1684 away fans.

The game was lost on 82 minutes. Substitute Kyle Vassell saw his cross blocked, but he instantly returned the ball into the area, looping his cross into the far side of the without knowing anything about it.

Boss Dave Jones said: “We dominated for long spells, looked decent on the ball and should have had a goal or two.

“It was harsh on us, we played well but switched off for that second goal and we can’t do that. It’s a trait we have at the moment and we try to take you of it.

“Is it lack of fitness? We look at it.

“They can change their side, from the bench they have people to change a game , we aren’t at the stage yet.

“It’s hard to swallow, the 56th time I’ve said that and we have to learn quickly. It’s a harsh lesson.’’

BLACKPOOL (4-2-3-1): Lyness; Mellor, Aldred, Robertson, Daniel; Danns (Black 72), Payne; Delfounso (Flores 67), Osayi-Samuel, Potts; Cullen (Vassell 72). Subs: Slocombe (gk), Aimson, Matt, Odelusi.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-5-1): Fryer; Donnelly, Walker, Harrison, Deverdics; Alessandra, Hawkins, Featherstone, Woods (Rooney 83), Thomas; Amond. Subs: Dudzinski (gk), Bates, Oates, Hawkes, Richardson, Rodney.

Referee: Darren England (Barnsley)