There was a scruffy start to the game this evening as both sides worked hard to adjust to the blustery conditions as the wind swirled around inside The Vic.

And Cheltenham Town approached the game in much the same style as many other visitors to Victoria Park this season - sitting back early on and letting Pools do the hard work as they sat back and waited to take advantage on the break.

Unfortunately for Pools, Town's approach had paid off by the eleventh minute when Steven Gillespie fired home the opener with the assistance of some sloppy defending from Wilson's men.

Gillespie broke through to find himself one-on-one with Arran Lee-Barrett before squeezing the ball past the big keeper to give Town the early lead - Lee-Barrett's first touch of the game was to pick the ball out of the back of his own net.

And the hosts had chance to double their lead just minutes later when Andy Lindegaard broke right from a Pools' strike on goal through to the opposite end of the field to square the ball for Steve Brooker, who was caught just marginally offside, much to the relief of the home defence.

With the home fans making their frustration heard, the visitors again went desperately close to making it 2-0; a low drive from Lindegaard beat the keeper only to crash against the far post and bounce back into play.

Pools did create a few chances at the other end as they fought for a way back into the game in worsening conditions. James Brown fired in at goal from close range but Shane Higgs held it well.

Ian Moore fired over the bar with another effort and, with the ball falling to Gary Liddle inside the box, he hit his effort into the arms of Higgs from just eight yards out.

But it was the visitors who had the better of the first half and they went close again when Michael D'Agostino broke through to set up the lively Brooker who this time fired his shot into the side netting.

Robbie Elliott reacted quickly to clear a Gillespie header off the line after a scramble inside the box from a corner kick and David Bird fired a low drive narrowly wide of Lee-Barrett's post as the visitors pressed on.

The half time whistle was met by a chorus of boos from the home fans inside The Vic and Pools, who were fortunate to be just 1-0 behind at the break, left the field knowing there was a lot of work to be done in the second period.

And Pools did look a little brighter after the break with Richard Barker finding himself with two early chances to draw level; a powerful header from a long throw was headed just wide by the big striker and just minutes later, Barker rifled a shot at goal which just skimmed the post to go out of play.

Great work by Ian Moore, who skipped in behind the defence almost led to the equaliser but James Brown's effort from close range, which looked set to hit the back of the net, was blocked out by the keeper.

And the visitors almost gave Pools a helping hand when Jerry Gill got on the end of a ball into the box to head towards his own goal but his header crashed against the bar and out of play.

Matty Robson, on in place of Robbie Elliott, tried his luck from the edge of the area but Higgs threw himself at the effort to spill it wide of target.

Ben Clark, showing impressive determination, battled hard with Gill on the left wing following a Pools' corner to win possession and ship a great cross into the box, which Barker headed just wide of target.

The introduction of Joel Porter almost paid instant dividends for Pools when the lively striker got his foot on a cross to volley an effort at goal but his shot went just wide of the far post.

As Pools poured forward in search of a much-needed equaliser, James Brown caused problems as he jinked his way into the area and, just as his final shot looked to be heading goalwards, the ball hit the leg of the arriving Moore and bounced out of play.

But while Pools failed to take advantage of their chances, the visitors made sure of the win when they broke forward in the 83^rd minute - Steve Gillespie finding himself the spare man in a break forward to go one-one-one and fire home into the bottom right hand corner of the net making it 2-0.

Pools now have just four days to bounce back, with the visit of Southend United on Tuesday evening proving even more crucial as Wilson's men look to get back to winning ways.

Att: 4120 (98 Cheltenham Town)

Pools: Lee-Barrett, Nolan, Nelson, Clark, Elliott (Robson 52) Brown, Liddle, Boland (Porter 78), Humphreys, Barker, Moore

Subs Not Used: Antwi, Sweeney, Foley

Cheltenham: Higgs, Jeremy Gill, Gallinagh, Caines, Wright, D Agostino (Vincent 76), Bird, Russell, Lindegaard (Scott Brown 67), Brooker (Connor 81), Gillespie.

Subs Not Used: Scott P Brown, Wylde.