Dave Challinor’s return to the club ended in yet more misery for Pools who remain bottom of League Two having been thrashed 5-0 by Stockport.
Kyle Wootton scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes to give the away side a strong early advantage – the first capitalising on a mistake by Reghan Tumilty to lift over the returning Ben Killip before then converting from close range four minutes later.
Keith Curle’s side barely laid a glove on the Hatters who strolled to all three points and added something of a statement to the scoreline with three second half strikes.
Paddy Madden headed in from a corner on the hour before substitute Callum Camps added a fourth four minutes later.
But Hartlepool’s misery was not over there as Will Collar made it five in the closing stages with a well-placed finish.
And here is how Pools were rated on a harrowing afternoon:
5. David Ferguson - 3
Defensively was all at sea like the rest as Stockport enjoyed plenty of joy down his side. Put in one or two decent crosses at stages including for Umerah early in the second half. Disappointing despite being back at full-back. (Credit: Michael Driver | MI News) Photo: Michael Driver
6. Nicky Featherstone - 5
The only one really looking to get on the ball and have a little bit of bite about him in the first half but struggled after the break when the game had gone as Stockport ran the midfield. Cut a frustrated figure. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher
7. Mohamad Sylla - 4
Few glimpses of what he can bring early in the second half when winning one or two challenges and driving forward but looked off the pace in losing the midfield battle. Subbed. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher
8. Jake Hastie - 3
Rarely involved for the opening half an hour with lapses in concentration leading to miscontrol on occasion. Good ball to pick out Cooke before then delivering a cross for Missilou. Haunted by glaring miss on the stroke of half-time which might have changed things. Excellent run and did all the hard work but horrible slice wide. Never recovered. Subbed. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher