Ten-man Pools lost out 3-1 in disappointing circumstances at Tranmere Rovers this afternoon.

Rovers took a first-half lead as Pools lost Jamie McCunnie to a straight red, but Danny Wilson's men deserved more from this game after a gutsy and determined display.

Despite a quick tempo to the opening exchanges here at Prenton Park, it took at least fifteen minutes for either side to create a real opening on goal.

After some scrappy play, Pools were first to show a glimpse of exactly what they are capable of when Joel Porter and Willie Boland combined with some impressive inter-play to set up Michael Mackay.

Some good build-up play led to Porter poking a good ball through into the box for Boland on the right of the area and he did well to fire it square for the arriving Mackay whose side-footed effort had to be deflected wide for a corner.

At the other end, former Poolie Ian Moore caused problems when he turned inside to edge past both Nelson and Collins to power towards goal but great recovery from Nelson saw him put in a solid block and edge the effort wide of target.

The other former Pools' man on the field Chris Shuker was a problem on the right wing, putting some teasing balls into the box - one found Chris Greenacre who powered a header at goal that was well held by Lee-Barrett.

Shuker fed Greenacre again later in the half but this time the striker blasted high over the bar from close range.

But Pools looked just as likely to open the scoring with Andy Monkhouse testing Danny Coyne in the home goal with a low drive from distance, which was deflected wide for a corner kick.

Michael Nelson saw a looping header from a Sam Collins cross well-held by the Rovers stopper as Wilson's men looked to take the opener.

And then came the main turning point of the match, with around ten minutes of the first half remaining - Jamie McCunnie failed to connect cleanly with a ball on the edge of his own area, losing out in a challenge with Moore.

And, when Moore took the ball into the box, McCunnie challenged for possession only for the former Pools striker to go crashing to the ground.

Referee Mr Whitehouse, who was responsible for sending off both Richard Barker and Andy Monkhouse in the game at Rochdale last season, looked to his Assistant on the right wing who was non-committal so the Official awarded the penalty himself despite some initial indecision.

Whitehouse was also quick to show McCunnie a straight red and reduce Pools to ten men.

Chris Greenacre stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and, although Lee-Barrett reacted well to save his effort low to his right, the Tranmere forward was first to react to the rebound and rolled home the opening goal into the opposite corner of the net.

Pools altered their shape, with Sweeney moving to right back and Porter moving to right midfield, leaving Michael Mackay as the lone striker and they continued to push forward leading up to the break - a low drive from Monkhouse coming closest but curling just wide of Coyne's left-hand post.

And so Wilson's side went in at the break knowing they had a big challenge ahead if they were to come back from the 1-0 deficit and down to ten men.

But Pools came out brightly and looked like a team determined to get something from the game - Rovers found it difficult to make their way out of their own half in the opening ten minutes as Wilson's men dug deep.

Pools were spurred on all the way by the travelling army of supporters who were in fine voice throughout the ninety minutes, showing their appreciation for the effort being put in on the field.

Great determination from Porter saw him push his way past three Rovers defenders to work his way to the by-line where he whipped in a pacy ball from the left but Coyne collected before it could cause problems.

The hosts did find their way forward as the half progressed and, although Ben Clark got up well to clear a Steve Jennings ball, Michael Nelson reacted to try and clear a ball into the area only to see the ball sneak into the bottom left corner of the net, making it 2-0 to Tranmere with less than half an hour remaining.

But Pools showed their recent upturn in confidence was still present as they continued to dig in and refused to give up on getting something from the game - and in the 71st minute, Ritchie Humphreys gave his side a lifeline back into the game.

Sub Tom Craddock poked the ball out to Willie Boland on the right wing and he lofted a great ball into the area, which arrived just on time for Humphreys to nod past Coyne and into the back of the net making it 2-1.

As Wilson's men sensed a way back into the game, they pushed forward, much to the frustration of the home crowd and, when Antony Sweeney rifled in from the edge of the area, Coyne did collect his effort but the home side were clearly rattled.

And then Pools really were given a way back into the game - Joel Porter skipped past Anthony Kay and into the box only to be hurled down to the ground. Although Kay was not shown a card for the challenge, the referee did point to the spot and awarded a penalty kick.

Tom Craddock confidently stepped up to take the kick but, despite sending Coyne the wrong way, the on-loan forward put the ball just wide of the right hand post.

The disappointment didn't last for long though as Wilson's men really did throw everything at Tranmere in search of the equaliser despite being down to ten men - the home fans actually booing their own players despite being ahead.

As the minutes ticked away though, Pools' efforts seemed set to go unrewarded as that second breakthrough just would not come.

Michael Nelson added his weight to the attack and, after playing a neat one-two with Sweeney, the big defender whipped in a teasing ball which sailed right through the area before seeing it edge out of play.

Tom Craddock had a great chance to make amends when Sweeney poked the ball through to him six yards out on goal but his great turn and shot saw Coyne hold the ball.

But Tranmere made sure of the points in extra time when Shane Sherriff popped up at the far post to nod home from a corner kick and Pools were cruelly consigned to a 3-1 defeat.

Danny Wilson's side didn't make it four-in-a-row despite their best efforts but showed enough in this game when down to ten men to suggest they won't have to wait long for their next victory.

Pools: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Nelson, Collins (Clark 47), Humphreys, Sweeney, Liddle, Boland, Monkhouse, Porter (Foley ), Mackay (Craddock 70)

Subs: Elliott, Robson, Foley

Tranmere Rovers: Coyne, Stockdale, McLaren, Sherriff, Kay, Moore, Greenacre, Jennings (Millen 90), Chorley, Taylor, Shuker (Zola 70)

Subs: Ahmed, Achterberg, Curran