Pool s lost out 2-1 to Brighton at The Vic this afternoon. A first-half Ben Clark own goal set the visitors on their way and, although a last-gasp Richard Barker penalty looked to have given Pools a share of the spoils, Bas Savage grabbed an injury-time winner for the visitors.

After an impeccably-observed emotional minute's silence in memory of Michael Maidens, Pools started strongly and looked in determined mood.

Early chances for Michael Nelson, who flicked a header just wide of target, and Joel Porter who broke well into space before seeing his heavy first touch go just too far, were good testers for the visitors as Danny Wilson's men made their intentions clear.

But for all the early pressure, Pools fell behind in quite unfortunate circumstances in the thirteenth minute. A ball into the area from Dean Cox on the right wing sailed high into the centre of the box when Ben Clark rose highest to try and head clear.

Unfortunately for the big Pools defender, he made a bad connection with the ball and it sailed slowly past Jan Budtz and into the back of the net.

Wilson's men certainly did not deserve to be behind after a lively start to the game but were left with some work to do to get back on level terms with The Seagulls, who were looking solid defensively.

With both sides throwing everything into the game, it was certainly a spirited, full-blooded performance, with some strong challenges going in at both ends.

Despite a slight lull in the tempo mid-way through the half, Pools always looked to more likely to score and enjoyed the greater share of possession. Ritchie Humphreys flashed a powerful free kick just over the bar while a ball into the area from Willie Boland caused mayhem for the visiting defence, with Michel Kuipers spilling the ball under pressure from Richard Barker but Brighton recovered to clear the danger.

Jamie McCunnie latched onto a good ball from Gary Liddle to fire a low, bobbling effort at goal but he saw his chance go just wide of the near post.

And then came the first-half flash point; with just minutes remaining on the clock, Brighton's Dean Cox went in with a harsh challenge on Boland. The Pools' midfielder retaliated and referee Mr Moss reached straight to his top pocket and produced the red card.

The second half continued at lively tempo, and Pools worked hard to make up for being a man down. In fact, it was Wilson's men who looked the more dangerous straight after the break.

The introduction of Andy Monkhouse down the left wing opened things up for Pools and there were some good chances created - with Humphreys trying his luck from distance and James Brown forcing the keeper into action with another effort.

But the extra man made the visitors a big threat on the break, particularly with the pace of Jake Robinson and the Pools defensive line-up for forced back on a number of occasions.

Jan Budtz reacted well to tip a shot from substitue and former Pools triallist Bas Savage round the post while the big keeper spread himself impressively to block from Richards at close range.

Brighton defender Adam El-Abd had two strong headed attempts at goal, which fortunately went just wide of the post as Pools kept the visitors within reaching distance.

And Pools grabbed that lifeline with both hands with just minutes remaining on the clock. A good ball into the area found Michael Nelson rising highest in the area and his header back to Monkhouse on the edge of the box saw the midfielder fire a volley goalwards. Butm when Tommy Elphick threw himself down to block the chance with his hand, the referee had no option but to award the spot kick.

Richard Barker showed tremendous composure to step up and smash the spot kick home, holding his black armband aloft in celebration to dedicate his goal to Michael Maidens.

Wilson's men had a late chance to snatch the points when Andy Monkhouse fed a teasing bacll right across the face of goal for sub Michael Mackay but despite his best efforts, the Pools striker just failed to make contact with the ball.

And then came a late late sucker punch as Bas Savage hit home a winner for Brighton, leaving both Pools supporters and players massively disappointed.

Pools: Budtz, Coles, Nelson, Clark (Monkhouse 46), Humphreys, Brown, McCunnie (Sweeney 74), Boland, Liddle, Barker, Porter (Mackay 61)

Subs Not Used: Antwi, Foley