THREE years ago today, Chris Turner kicked off his Hartlepool United managerial career.

Back on February 27, 1999 he faced Rotherham, drew 0-0 had 13 games left to save the club from relegation to the Conference, a task he passed with flying colours.

Now he is focused on the now annual task of reaching the play-offs.

This job, however, has been made a little more difficult after Tuesday night's defeat at Cheltenham.

Because Pool went down 3-0 to their play-off rivals and they now have 11 games remaining - five at home and six away - to achieve their aim for the third season in a row.

Two seasons ago Pool pipped Cheltenham to the final play-off spot; this time Cheltenham are in the driving seat, four points ahead of Pool with three games in hand.

Away form will be the difference between success and failure, just 16 points and 11 goals have come on their travels.

Pool won't play any better than they did in the first-half; yet they won't suffer a harsher defeat all season because in the first half Pool pummelled the home side, failed to turn their domination into goals and paid the price.

Pool started brightly, their swift passing causing problems for the home side and Ritchie Humphreys, lifted by Saturday's double haul against Southend, flashed a header wide of the mark from a right-footed Paul Smith cross.

Paul Stephenson was at the hub of Pool's attacks and a neat turn on the edge of the area cut open the home defence but the midfielder shot wide.

Adam Boyd then turned Chris Banks in the penalty area and his shot troubled home keeper Steve Banks who was relieved when his instinctive save clawed the ball away.

The Pool defence was rarely tested and looked more than capable of returning home with a positive result against their play-off rivals.

Pool were given a scare on the half-hour when eight-goal Boyd stayed down after dropping deep for a 50-50 challenge, but the eight-goal striker was able to continue after treatment.

Stephenson was enjoying his best display of the season - and by a long way at that. He swopped passes with Smith to win Pool's fourth corner, but it came to nothing.

A superb passing move, started in the middle by Stephenson, led to Smith meeting James Coppinger's pacy cross but he shot wide across goal.

Pool's passing game silenced the home crowd, who could only look on in admiration and when Cheltenham did get the ball forward Graeme Lee was getting the better of his duel with giant striker Julian Alsop.

A tannoy announement during the first-half called on supporters to cut out bad language inside Whaddon Road.

It could only have been from the frustrated home crowd, but on 40 minutes, it was the Pool fans cursing as Cheltenham scored with their first effort of any note.

Lee Williams whipped in a cross from the right and Tony Naylor, the smallest player on the pitch, was left unmarked to plant a header beyond Anthony Williams from six yards.

Unbelieveably, it was soon an underserving two. Smith conceded a free-kick 30 yards out, it was chipped into the area, Willliams pushed out Naylor's header and Alsop was there to nod in the easiest of goals to stun Pool.

Pool came out looking for a swift response and Smith delivered a teasing cross that beat Book and Jamie Victory had to head away and Tinkler then drilled a 20-yard free kick over the bar.

Boyd went off on 53 minutes, Turner opting for the pace of Jermaine Easter to cause problems for the home defence.

After Micky Barron's cross was cleared, Smith whipped in another ball that Victory thumped away for another corner; Easter met his second effort but with no power.

Scorer Alsop was booked after clattering Williams when the Pool keeper raced out to clear and Lee followed after getting involved in the fracas that followed.

Referee David Crick was losing control as stoked-up Pool looked for a way back against their cocky hosts and next he booked Tinkler after a tackle on halfway.

The home side nearly made it three and Pool were thankful Stephenson was on hand to whack Mark Yates' header off the line.

A minute later, it was three, Naylor bagging his second after running through the Pool defence from the left and shooting past Willams.

* Pool have made an enquiry about Torquay striker Eifion Williams. The Welshman has been mainly restricted to substitute appearances this season and while no move is imminent, Turner is likely to make a move in the summer.

Goals: Naylor (41mins, 1-0; 76, 3-0); Alsop (43, 2-0)

Bookings: Duff (kicking ball away), Lee (retaliation), Alsop, Tinkler (foul)

Referee: David Crick (Surrey) 5

Attendance: 3,257

CHELTENHAM (4-4-2): Book 7; Duff 6, Victory 8, Banks 6 (Brough 88), Griffin 7; Howells 7, Milton 7, Yates 7, Williams 6; NAYLOR 8 (Devaney 88), Alsop 7 (Grayson 88). Subs (not used): McAuley, Higgs, Devaney.

HARTLEPOOL (4-4-2): Williams 6; Barron 7, Lee 8, Westwood 7, Robinson 6; Coppinger 6 (Clarke 77), Tinkler 7, STEPHENSON 8, Smith 8; Boyd 7 (Easter 53, 6), Humphreys 7. Subs (not used): Hollund, Arnison,

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