Hartlepool were picked apart by a slick Rochdale side in the opening 45 minutes as goals from Cian Hayes, Jimmy Keohane and Ryan East gave the away side an insurmountable lead despite Nicky Featherstone offering John Askey’s side hope deep into first half stoppage time.
Hayes latched onto a route one ball from goalkeeper Louie Moulden to poke by the returning Joel Dixon before Keohane met Kairo Mitchell’s flick on to double the lead.
And the away side pretty much had the game wrapped up when East went unchallenged towards the edge of the area before beating Dixon from distance.
Featherstone gave Pools something of a lifeline with the final kick of the first half with a well-taken goal to reduce the deficit.
But despite a much-improved second half display, with Emmanuel Dieseruvwe scoring his 11th goal of the season in the final five minutes, Pools had given themselves too much to do and were unable to claim an unlikely point as they dropped into the bottom half of the National League table.
And here is how Pools were rated after a third straight defeat:
9. Joe Grey - 5
Couldn’t get involved for much of the first half apart from one teasing cross to the back post which nobody had gambled on. Decent improvisation which led to Featherstone’s goal. Was a bit more energy about him in the second half as Pools tried to force the issue. Photo: Frank Reid
10. Josh Umerah - NA
Barely involved as he was subbed off with injury inside six minutes. Photo: Frank Reid
11. Emmanuel Dieseruvwe - 6
Pressed quite well in the early going but had absolutely nothing to go at in the first half in what was a thankless task as he became almost a spectator. Had a hand in Featherstone’s goal and took his header really well, as you would expect, but will be haunted by his miss in stoppage time which would have rescued a point. Photo: FRANK REID 2022
12. Chris Wreh - 5
Back in the squad and came on early in place of Umerah but was largely uninvolved for much of the game. Did do well to create space on his left and test Moulden late on with a decent strike. Photo: Frank Reid