In what was billed as a must win for John Askey's side, Hartlepool fell way short of what was necessary as Crawley eased to a 2-0 success at the Suit Direct Stadium to hammer what is pretty much the final nail in Hartlepool’s Football League coffin.
Dom Telford scored twice, once in the first half and again in the second, as Pools continued to look out of sorts following back-to-back defeats away from home.
Telford headed in from close range five minutes before half-time to give Crawley a deserved lead before he picked up a route one goal kick from Crawley goalkeeper Corey Addai to touch and finish shortly after the hour mark.
Pools were unable to muster up a response as they limped to a third straight 2-0 defeat and a one which will likely see them in the National League next season.
9. Dan Kemp - 4
Played a couple of decent balls into the channels for Jennings to run onto but was marked out of things and was a little too loose in possession. Wayward with a number of free kicks. Like most, has gone off the boil over the last week as Crawley got the better of the midfield. (Photo: Michael Driver | MI News) Photo: Michael Driver
10. Connor Jennings - 5
Put one on a plate for Cooke in the first half and picked up one or two decent positions. His hassling forced Crawley into their first mistake after they had coasted up until that stage but didn't threaten himself. Ran out of steam a little in the second half. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher
11. Josh Umerah - 4
Was rarely involved in the first half as Crawley enjoyed plenty of the ball in Hartlepool’s half. Couldn’t turn in from close range from Cooke’s effort albeit he may have been offside. Dragged a couple of efforts wide in the second half but another who seems to have run out of steam towards the end of the season. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher
12. Wes McDonald - 5
Hartlepool looked for a spark from the winger but this time there wasn’t really anything having fallen 2-0 down soon after he came on. One or two runs down the channel but Johnson did well in the main against him. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher