HARTLEPOOL United lost their unbeaten pre-season campaign record last night as they went down to Stockport at Victoria Park.

After wins over Berwick, Seaham Red Star and Dutch outfits Theole and Sv Nootdorp, and a draw with Spennymoor, a single goal was enough to give the Second Division side victory

But Pool boss Chris Turner will have been pleased with the work-out, which saw his side create the better chances.

Teenager Tony Sweeney, starting in the absence of Paul Smith, was not afraid to get forward and he went close on a couple of occasions, while Eifion Williams was unlucky with an early volley which crashed into the advertising hoardings behind the goal.

Stockport took the lead on 20 minutes when livewire left-winger Andrew Welsh took the ball from his keeper, ran forward 70 yards and when his shot deflected off the head of defender Graeme Lee it caught out keeper Antony Williams and looped over his head into the net.

Pool were creating the better chances and Mark Robinson almost celebrated his 21st birthday with a goal when his 30-yard cross had keeper Lee Jones back-pedalling to tip the ball over.

Stockport player-manager Carlton Palmer was being hounded by the sparse crowd following his run-in with Brian Honour ten years ago and he responded with a woeful performance in midfield. He took himself off just after the hour mark.

Pool continued to carve out the game's best opportunities. Sweeney acrobatically volleyed over from eight yards and Gordon Watson horribly miskicked in front of goal with only Jones to beat.

A swift Pool passing move ended with Watson being denied by Jones and Darrell Clarke saw a stinging volley deflected wide before the Pool midfielder suffered a cut above the eye after being punched in a challenge by defender Jim Goodwin.

Peterlee referee Roy Pearson failed to see the incident and Goodwin escaped punishment but was soon hauled off by Palmer.

Hartlepool: A Williams; Barron, Lee, Westwood (Simms 34), Robinson; Clarke, Tinkler, Sweeney (Boyd 66), Humphreys; Watson, E Williams, Subs (not used): Provett, Arnison, Easter.

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