Pools were unlucky to lose out 1-0 at Swansea City this evening, with a late Angel Rangel goal enough to separate the sides in a closely-fought match.
Wilson's men, playing in a new formation pushed The Swans all the way and really did deserve more from a game which saw the hosts move to the top of League One.
Pools worked hard from the off as the hosts created some good early chances and looked in threatening form.
A good move by Paul Anderson down the right within the first few minutes of play saw the Swansea midfielder curl in a fierce shot from just inside the area but Jamie McCunnie managed to get his body in the way of the ball to block the effort wide.
Wilson introduced a new 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation, which allowed the wingers forward when on the attack but also allowed more men back in the defence and McCunnie played this role well, assisting the back four when required.
With The Swans enjoying some strong possession play early on, Pools were tested at the back and Ritchie Humphreys did well to meet a good Andy Robinson ball with a strong header to deflect danger from the goal mouth.
Jan Budtz made a good save from a Ferrie Bodde and loan man Eddie Nolan arrived just on time to clear a great ball from Anderson who had powered through the Pools' defence on the right hand side to put a teasing pass right across the face of goal.
It took Wilson's men some time to settle into their stride here at The Liberty Stadium but once they did, they exposed some vulnerability in the home defence and looked dangerous on the attack.
Pools' first chance came courtesy of Willie Boland, who seems on a personal mission to break his duck for the season in recent games. The powerful midfielder, who looked to enjoy the freedom of this new formation, fired in a low free kick which went just narrowly wide of Dorus de Vries' left hand post.
James Brown had the best chance of the half for Pools when he curled in an effort from the left side of the box only to be denied by a brilliant finger-tip save from de Vries who just touched the ball wide of target.
The hosts remained a threat going forward and Godwin Antwi did well with a solid challenge to snatch possession from Leon Britton just inside the area but Wilson's men finished the half on top.
Pools looked stronger and created some good openings with some flowing play out of midfield but the breakthrough didn't come for either team and the first half ended goalless.
Swansea had the first chance of the second half when Jason Scotland broke through to fire in a low effort but Jan Budtz collected after an initial spill.
But Pools were soon back on firm footing, using the counter attack well and looking a more solid unit at the back - Michael Nelson intercepted well to take possession from the feet of Scotland and Antwi rose highest to head clear from a corner kick.
Wilson's men were pushed back during a spell of pressure from the hosts after the break but held firm, though a chance from Scotland looked set to creep in at the far post after a strong move down the right from the big striker.
Scotland again went close on the 67th minute when he picked up possession in the heart of a crowded penalty area but some desperate defending from Pools, and a punt clear from Nelson kept things all square.
At the other end, Antony Sweeney pushed into the area and forced a shot on goal which pulled a brave block from de Vries.
Danny Wilson changed things round just after the 70th minute mark, replacing the hard-working Richard Barker with Joel Porter and the change at exactly the same time as Roberto Martinez introduced former Pools' loan man Darryl Duffy into the action.
And Pools almost took instant advantage when Sweeney picked up on a defensive mistake to push into the area and lift a ball over de Vries which bounced just on the crossbar and then back into play.
As the game became very much end-to-end action, a ball in from Tommy Butler on the left found Andy Robinson rising highest in the area but his powerful header went high over the bar.
With less than ten minutes remaining on the clock, Swansea City took the lead, a move down the right hand side finishing off with Angel Rangel driving a low effort across Jan Budtz's goal and into the bottom left corner of the net.
But the goal didn't deter Pools, who continued to push on and once again a chance fell for Antony Sweeney inside the area but his blast from close range was saved well by de Vries.
With the minutes now ticking away and Pools looking destined to suffer an unlucky defeat, Budtz got down well to hold an effort from Tommy Butler and Sweeney blocked out Robinson the goal line to deny The Swans a second.
There was late pressure from Pools as Joel Porter and David Foley caused problems inside the box and Eddie Nolan went desperately close in the dying seconds with a great turn and shot across goal.
But once again, despite playing some good football and deserving more from the game, Pools left The Liberty Stadium empty handed to face a long, long journey back home to the North East.
Next up for Wilson's men is an FA Cup Second Round clash at Hereford United on Saturday afternoon.
Pools: Budtz, Nolan, Nelson, Antwi, Humphreys, Moore, McCunnie, Sweeney, Boland (Foley 86), Brown, Barker (Porter 71)
Subs Not Used: Elliott, Gibb, Monkhouse
Swansea City: de Vries, Bodde, Britton, Pratley (Duffy 71), Scotland (Bauza 80), Painter, Lawrence, Monk, Robinson, Rangel, Anderson (Butler 53)
Subs Not Used: Tate, Orlandi,
