HARTLEPOOL UNITED'S FA Cup fairytale ended at Victoria Park when Jack Ross and Isiah Rankin combined to play the ugly sisters' role and deny Neale Cooper's men a fifth round date at the ball at St Mary's, Southampton.

Pool would have been quietly confident - going into their FA Cup fourth round replay - of having the opportunity to play some of their trademark passing football on home soil after being made to scrap for a goalless draw at Brentford a fortnight ago.

But a combination of having a tempest blowing wildly off the wintry North Sea coastline and Ross's eighth minute dismissal for a professional foul made the fast-flowing fluent football home supporters have become accustomed to under Neale Cooper's tutelage, nearly impossible.

If Pool were going to progress into the fifth round for the first time in their history then Adam Boyd and Joel Porter both knew the responsibility rested on their shoulders.

The pair have enjoyed a fantastic season and have contrived to score nearly two-thirds of Pool's goals between them.

Boyd was last week awarded the League One player of the month award for January, while his partnership with the Aussie has caused plenty of preblems for defences this season.

But on Saturday, they didn't enjoy the best of fortunes.

Boyd was left to plough a lone furrow up front as Cooper had to reshuffle his pack following Ross's sending off - which meant Porter having to play deeper, in a left-sided role.

But despite not having their best games for the club - and playing into a first-half gale was never going to help - the pair always looked the most likely individuals in a blue and white to carve out an opening.

Boyd revealed why scouts from the top two divisions have flocked to see the 19-goal striker as early as the third minute; a neat turn on the halfway line left his marker rooted to the spot and his pass sent Porter in on goal.

Unfortunately the referee ignored the blatant shove in the Australian's back and play was waved on.

Porter was again prominent on the half-hour when he showed a clean pair of heels to his marker before sliding a delicious through ball that could have been fruitful had Mark Tinkler took a bite.

Shortly after, however, home fans thought Porter had sent Pool in at half time with a lead against the run of play.

Hugh Robertson's dangerous free-kick into the Bees' penalty area was finally hacked clear to Porter whose half volley from 20 yards went agonisingly wide of Stuart Nelson's right hand post.

After surviving the final 37 minutes of the half with ten men, and having the wind at their backs for the second period, dreams of a tie against the Saints looked promising.

But Bees' striker Rankin turned sinner when he provided a stinging reminder to the home side that they had it all to do when he converted at close range from Stewart Talbot's corner.

Porter had a chance to level on the hour but he headed tamely into Nelson's arms.

But as the game drifted on Pool fans rightly feared it wasn't going to be their day when Boyd volleyed over from close range before Chris Westwood missed a gilt-edged chance to force extra time.

A rousing reception from the Victoria Park faithful on the whistle showed the appreciation for Pool's efforts, but they lacked that little bit extra to break down a strong backline.

On the balance of play Martin Allen's Brentford probably just shaded the tie as they created the clearer chances.

It's not all doom and gloom, however.

Pool's FA Cup dreams may have had a nightmarish ending, but the opportunity of playing Championship football for the first time in their history is still very much alive.

Boyd and Porter may yet still get a chance to play Prince Charming should they find their golden slippers - remember all fairytales have a happy ending.