Hartlepool United verdict: Failure to find breakthrough proves costly for Dave Challinor's side as winning run comes to an end at Weymouth

Going into the game at the Bob Lucas Stadium, newly-promoted part-timers Weymouth sat 21st in the National League table with just two wins all season and without a victory in their last nine league outings.

Meanwhile, Pools sat second having won their last four league matches, scoring 11 and conceding two. Almost everything pointed to Hartlepool picking up their fifth straight National League win for the first time.

But just when it’s starting to look good for Pools, something always manages to stop us getting carried away.

In this instance, a first half header from Josh McQuoid proved to be the difference as Dave Challinor’s side were left frustrated by Weymouth’s stubborn and resolute defence.

It should hardly come as a surprise by now as we’ve seen it plenty of times over the past couple of seasons. Whether it be goalless draws at Barnet and Chorley or a 1-0 defeat at home to Ebbsfleet United – as the all too familiar saying goes, there are no easy games in the National League.

Hartlepool named a virtually unchanged line-up from the side that beat Wealdstone 3-1 at Victoria Park a fortnight prior.

The only change to the starting 11 was forced with Lewis Cass returning to the side in place of Tyler Magloire, who returned to Blackburn Rovers following his loan.

Captain Ryan Doanldson was omitted from the matchday squad with 17-year-old Joe Grey coming onto the bench in his place. Donaldson hasn’t started a National League match in almost two months and has recently been nursing a heel injury.

Pools were boosted by the news that both Ryan Johnson and Jamie Sterry had agreed new deals at the club. But the uncertainty surrounding the National League season still loomed large after clubs were told the National League’s grant option (option two) had been taken off the table despite Pools and several other clubs being in favour of it.

On the pitch, Hartlepool looked to get on the front foot and exert their dominance early. Top scorer Luke Armstrong came close inside the opening few minutes with a tight angled effort which was well blocked at the near post by Terras’ goalkeeper Ethan Ross.

Ross, who was comfortably Weymouth’s best player throughout the afternoon, was called into action shortly after with a fine diving double save to claw away Johnson’s glanced header toward goal.

As the first half wore on, the hosts were happy to soak up the pressure and limit Pools to few clear cut chances.

“They played like an away side,” Challinor commented afterwards in reference to Weymouth’s defensive approach.

With the way the match was unfolding, Pools needed the first goal in order to bring the home side out of their shell.

But while it was goalless, the Terras had no intention of going toe to toe with Pools in an attempt to outplay them, they knew they’d likely be torn apart if they tried. But they could out think and out work Hartlepool, hoping that when a chance came their way they’d take it.

And with 40-minutes on the clock, Weymouth finally got their opportunity. Johnson was caught dawdling on the ball as Pools looked to play it out from the back.

Terras debutant Andy Dallas chased down the loose ball but was adjudged to have been tripped by Timi Odusina as he looked to go through on goal.

Odusina escaped with a caution but the real punishment was still to come as Ollie Harfield’s pinpoint delivery from the right was met by McQuoid.

The former Bournemouth man got behind the defending Rhys Oates and connected well to put a bullet header past Ben Killip and give Weymouth a 1-0 lead.

And an already frustrating afternoon for Hartlepool just became that bit more difficult as they trailed at the break.

The second half saw more of the same as Weymouth protected what they had.

On the hour mark, a triple attacking substitution from Challinor threatened to turn things in Pools’ favour with the introduction of Mason Bloomfield, Luke Williams and Luke Molyneux for the final half-hour.

A positive change that ultimately had a negative impact as less than 10-minutes later Molyneux was shown a straight red card for a high foot which was deemed as serious foul play by referee Matthew Russell.

Molyneux made the decision easy for the referee by going in high with his boot rather than his head. Pools could have no complaints about the decision particularly as they have benefited from such calls in recent matches against Stockport County and Notts County.

The dismissal means that just one of Pools’ last seven matches (v Wealdstone) have finished with all 22 players on the pitch.

Now Molyneux, who hasn’t started a league match for Pools since December 5, will be suspended for the next three games.

Still, Pools weren’t deterred by the dismissal with Bloomfield twice coming close only to be denied by the impressive stopper Ross.

They continued to push for an equaliser but just couldn’t find the breakthrough as the game ended 1-0 in Weymouth’s favour.

It ended an impressive run for Challinor’s side as they dropped to third in the table but was hardly a bad or concerning performance. They just couldn’t find a goal.

It seems the key to beating Pools is to sit back and prevent them from getting in behind and being a threat from wide areas. Frustrate them, as defensively they remain a bit suspect and they will always give you a chance to snatch something as we saw in the latter stages against Wealdstone last time out.

Weymouth rode their luck at times but came away with three points. Pools will have to dust themselves off and be ready to bounce back against second placed Sutton United at Victoria Park next Saturday.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Hartlepool United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

We’ve launched a new transfer window special offer for readers to get 20% off our subscription package.

Use the promo code TRANSFER20 to sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor