NEALE Cooper looked on as the striker saw his shot saved, grimaced as the ball bounced onto the top of the crossbar and then whinced as it was headed wide amid a mad goalmouth scramble.

"It's a bit like watching Hartlepool,'' he quipped after taking a glance at the TV screen as he spoke to the press pack with Manchester United thumping Southampton in the background.

That, it's fair to say, was the only similarity between the Uniteds of Manchester and Hartlepool on Saturday.

While Wayne Rooney and co might have failed to notch on that one occasion, they still eased four past the Saints.

Pool, though, couldn't find a breakthrough against Tranmere as they fell to a fourth successive defeat. They hit the bar, had one scrambled off the line, and had a couple of half-decent penalty shouts knocked back.

Perhaps Pool had used up all their luck during their recent 12-game unbeaten run. Since that was ended, Pool have now lost six of their last eight outings.

And in front of goal, at both ends, Pool are getting nothing.

Just like at Hull last Tuesday, Jim Provett made a fine save and then the ball dropped at the feet of the opponent he denied to tap in at the second time of asking.

At the other end, Pool are suffering similarly and this was their third 1-0 reverse out of four.

Perhaps a month ago Pool would have got something out of this game. In November, they even managed to turn defeats into stunning victories as Doncaster and Bournemouth were beaten in the dying minutes.

Rub of the green is the in-phrase at Victoria Park right now. They might be talking about it, but they are certainly not getting it.

"It's a real sticky run we are on right now,'' said Cooper, whose team was applauded off the field at the end, which, after a defeat, is a rarity.

"We've played some good stuff, but we can't buy a point at the moment. If we weren't playing well then I'd worry about it, but we are playing good football.

"Nothing is going for us - Jim made a great penalty save at Hull and the rebound drops for them. Anything that dropped in the Tranmere box went to them - not us.

"Last week at Hull we lost out to a shocking decision and perhaps the same happened against Wrexham when we were level.

"I really feel for the players. Defensively we were sound, especially after the way we defended against Wrexham.

"Maybe at the start of the second-half we were in the comfort zone a wee bit. They were a bit sharper and after they scored they shut up shop a bit.''

Pool were left chasing the game after Chris Dagnall's goal and, while they turned up the pressure as the game drew to a close there was no way through the strong visiting backline.

Substitute Paul Linwood had a solid time after his arrival and this Michael Jackson certainly wasn't messing about in pyjamas.

"We put plenty of crosses over, we hit the bar, but it wouldn't go in,'' said Cooper. "I cannot go in the dressing room after the game and criticise the boys after they way they played.

"They were disappointed with the result, but they were applaused off the park by the fans and I appreciated that. They are not afraid to let the players know when they are not happy, but they could see we played well.''

Pool had earned three corners after just six minutes and went close each time.

Ben Clark rose early and headed over, Joel Porter almost turned in Micky Nelson's header before Tony Sweeney tried to hit the Nelson's ball on the turn, but failed to connect.

Tight and giving little away, Tranmere's sole opening came when Nelson's header fell kindly for Theo Whitmore and, with Jim Provett off his line, his attempted lob was easy for the back-pedalling keeper.

Provett was beaten when Ryan Taylor's fierce cross from the right was headed downwards by Dagnall, Provett clawed it out only for the ball to drop for the substitute to poke over the line.

Darren Craddock was in the side at the expense of Micky Barron, Cooper seeking more attacking output from the right back position and the teenager gave it.

Cooper said: "Darren looked very good and he gave us an extra option when he pushed on. His use of the ball was good.''

Pool had three penalty shouts knocked back in quick succession.

The first was an appeal in name only, the second debatable, but referee Andy Hall failed to give Pool a spot kick at the third shout because he was too busy making signals to indicate why the second appeal wasn't given.

Jason McAteer headed towards his own goal, but it went straight to keeper John Achterberg. Aside from some banter with the Mill House terrace during a stop in play in the first-half, it was the sole impact the former Sunderland man had.

Linwood hacked the ball off the line and when Sweeney's looping header was steered onto the bar, you knew it wasn't Pool's day.

Result: Hartlepool United 0, Tranmere Rovers 1.

Read more about Hartlepool here.