Pools lost out 2-0 at Doncaster Rovers this evening, with a goal in each half enough to hand all three points to the hosts.
In what was a disappointing display from Danny Wilson's men, Rovers could well have scored more goals as they really pressed the Pools' goal in the second half.
It was a new-look formation for Pools at Doncaster Rovers this evening as Wilson went 4-3-2-1, with Joel Porter leading the attack.
Antony Sweeney also found himself with a new role, dropping back to right back as Jamie McCunnie moved into the midfield three.
But Wilson's men adapted to their new formation quickly and looked assured in their performance, with some good pressure in particular down the right wing as James Brown linked up well with Antony Sweeney and Gary Liddle.
The change in formation was made to combat the pace and direct approach employed by Rovers and Wilson's men were put right to the test by a dangerous Doncaster outfit - former Poolie James Coppinger one of their biggest threats.
There was an early scare for Pools when a Coppinger ball in from the right escaped the attentions of Lee-Barrett and fell to Mark McCammon on the goal line but fortunately his effort sailed high over the bar.
The Pools' keeper was called in action again just minutes later when he threw himself full-stretch to hold a dangerous effort from Coppinger and again later in the half Lee-Barrett pulled off another impressive save to deny the former Pools' man with a curling free kick.
Although it was the hosts who ensured Lee-Barrett was the busiest of the two keepers, Pools did create chances of their own - the lively David Foley picked up a good ball from Liddle on the left to burst into the box and, with the defence backing off , he was able to drive a low effort at goal only to see the ball scrape wide of the near post.
Richie Wellens, who was another danger for the hosts tested Lee-Barrett with a blast from the edge of the area but the big keeper got down well to hold the ball. Minutes later though and Wellens exacted the perfect revenge when James O'Connor cut inside from the right and dragged the ball square for his Rovers' teammate and Wellens drove home from 15 yards to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Pools had a couple to chances to draw level before the break - good work from James Brown on the right wing saw the youngster twist and turn his way past Gareth Roberts to lift a ball into the box but keeper Neil Sullivan nipped in ahead of Porter to collect.
A well-placed corner kick from Alan Thompson burst through the box to find Michael Nelson at the far post and although he got a clear touch on the ball, it edged wide of the near post.
Pools had a scare in the final seconds of the first half when Joel Porter took a knock to his knee and looked set to be replaced at half-time as he hobbled down the tunnel but fortunately he seemed to shake it off during the break and recovered to take his place for the second period.
The second half didn't start well for Pools as the hosts continued their assault on goal and Michael Nelson was called into almost immediate action to block from Jason Price as the big striker looked set to double their lead.
Less than ten minutes after the re-start though, and the score was indeed 2-0 to Rovers; the hosts really seemed to have the bit between their teeth as they poured forward in numbers and grabbed their reward in the 54th minute.
Once again there were questions to be asked as Doncaster were allowed three efforts on goal without the ball being cleared - Coppinger tried his luck, only to see Price obstruct his effort, then Paul Green took a touch before it rebounded out to Adam Lockwood who blasted the ball back through the crowd and into the back of the net.
Pools had a lucky escape just minutes later when Paul Green drove an effort in from just inside the box only to see it scrape wide of the near post as Wilson's men really were pushed back for a spell.
Pools enjoyed a brief respite when James Brown pushed forward down the right to lift a teasing ball into the area and, although Porter rose highest to meet the effort, Sullivan managed to punch clear the danger.
But Rovers were in no mood to give up their pressure as they once again upped the pressure to give Pools, who were struggling to find any real possession of their own, a big test at the back.
And Antony Sweeney spared further blushes when he reacted well to block a good strike from Price who thought he had made it 3-0 only for Sweeney to block off the goal line and both Michael Nelson and Sweeney cleared further chances off the line in the closing minutes.
But things didn't improve for Wilson's men, who were hanging on for much of the second period, and Doncaster Rovers were comfortable 2-0 winners on the night.
Next up for Pools is a home clash with Luton Town on Saturday afternoon at The Vic.
Att: 6442 (389 Pools)
Pools: Lee-Barrett, Sweeney, Nelson, Antwi, Humphreys, Liddle, Thompson (Barker 51), McCunnie (Turnbull 86), Brown, Porter (Mackay 80), Foley
Subs Not Used: Budtz, Elliott
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, O'Connor, Mills, Lockwood, Roberts, Wellens, Green, Coppinger (Guy 87), Wilson (McDaid 86), McCammon, Price (Heffernan 78)
Subs Not Used: Lee, Woods
