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Tranmere Rovers 3 Hartlepool United 1

There's plenty of evidence to back up their argument - defeats this season at Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Carlisle United to name three examples.

On Saturday, a fourth emerged as Pools lost 3-1 at Tranmere.

Playing with ten men for almost an hour after Jamie McCunnie was sent-off, Pools went two goals down, took the game to Tranmere for the majority of the second half, missed a penalty which would have levelled the scoreline and yet ended up losing.

But, for all their possession and neat football - there were periods in the second half when the ten men were trailing and playing keepball - it was the game's big events which turned the game against Pools.

A back header by Micky Nelson fell short, McCunnie's attempted touch didn't come off and he brought down Ian Moore inside the area. Penalty and red card. The spot kick was saved, but Chris Greenacre was there to knock the rebound in.

Nelson sliced a Chris Shuker cross with his right shin into his own net as he attempted to clear.

And then, much to Danny Wilson's chagrin, Antony Kay wasn't disciplined by the referee after chopping down Joel Porter inside the area.

The penalty, taken by Tom Craddock, was put wide.

Key events, key moments and all went the way Pools didn't need.

"I don't know how we have lost that game being honest,'' reflected Wilson. "They have had one shot at goal before scoring a penalty, score a second from a miskick, we have conceded a penalty and had a man sent off - when we got a penalty there was no sending off or even a yellow card.

"I thought the referee was exceptionally poor in lots of occasions, the penalty decision especially.

How their man didn't even get a yellow card at least when he conceded it is bewildering.'' Referee Dean Whitestone was the official in charge of Pools penultimate game of the last campaign at Rochdale, when he sent off both Richard Barker and Andy Monkhouse.

"We showed great character to come back from two goals down,'' added the manager. "But again we have the scenario when we get a penalty and there is no card shown, which, for the life of me, I cannot fathom out.

"I've asked the referee and he said it wasn't a sending-off, but it might have been a booking - so why wasn't it a booking?

"He gave some strange decisions.

Joel Porter was mullered from the back every time when he went up for a ball and how many free-kicks did we get? You could see the penalty coming because Joel was giving them a hard time - all we want is a fair crack of the whip by the referee.

It was blatant and there was no choice to give it, but the decisions far outweighed in the home side.

"I am livid with the referee, he had major decisions to make. Decisions went against us, I find it incredible he has come through that performance and not expect any criticism, he was very poor.

"We had him last season at Rochdale, whether that is in the mind I don't know. But I will say on a different day, a different occasion, a different season we had the same outcome.'' Pools also conceded three goals that day as well, but the big difference was that on this occasion they should have won. Tranmere had the numerical advantage, Pools had all the play.

After Ritchie Humphreys scored at the far post, turning in a Willie Boland cross, Pools were well on top. The penalty would have made it 2-2 and, as home boss Ronnie Moore - whose side were booed incessantly during the second half - pointed out: "We were lucky because if they had scored it, they would have probably gone on to win the game. They controlled a game we should have dominated.'' Craddock had no hesitation, in the absence of regular taker Barker, in grabbing the ball.

Wilson added: "Tom wanted the penalty, he has scored many in his young career so far. Maybe the occasion got to him, my only criticism is that he's just come on the pitch a few minutes before and he's not warmed up enough if you like. Maybe other players could have stepped up to the plate.'' He added: "The lads were magnificent and I mean magnificent.

"We dominated and shouldn't have been two goals down in the first place, it's not like we were playing poorly, we were on top.

Tranmere were very fortunate.

"When that gift horse looks at you, you have to take it. I'm not criticising Tom in any way, I thought he struck it quite well and he put it wide - it happens.

"We deserved at least to come back to 2-2, but it wasn't the case.

Tranmere enjoyed a charmed life, but came out with a win.

"The lads were brilliant and to look at the scoreline, you wouldn't understand what has gone on."

5:29pm Saturday 15th March 2008

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