Pools lost out 2-0 to Huddersfield Town in a fast-paced game at The Vic this afternoon.
A goal in each half saw Lee Clark's men take all three points from Pools and means Chris Turner's side move closer to the dreaded drop zone.
The game got off to a blistering start, with both teams threatening to break the deadlock early on.
And, after a short delay caused by an injury to Lee Peltier after a Gary Liddle challenge, the game was played out at a very high tempo.
The pace of the game was not the only talking point at half time as both teams adopted a physical approach to the match - with four bookings (two apiece) inside the first forty five.
Pools conceded a succession of three free kicks in the left channel - the third finding the head of Jordan Rhodes who fired over from close range.
Joe Gamble caused problems in the box at the other end as he sent an inswinging corner in for Andy Monkhouse to flick on but Neal Trotman was able to clear.
Pools looked strong and a great cross-field ball from Adam Boyd picked out Ritchie Jones on the right and the former Manchester United man matched the quality of the ball received with an excellent cross which flashed in front of goal - narrowly escaping the attentions of the arriving Antony Sweeney.
Denis Behan hit a powerful volley from close range which was blocked by Alex Smithies in the visiting goal, while the Irish striker suffered the same fate with a second effort from six yards.
With 17 minutes on the clock, the game took a big swing in the favour of Lee Clark's men; with Sam Collins battling with Rhodes inside the area, Scott Flinders ran out to assist, tripping the Town striker and conceding a penalty.
Gary Roberts stepped up to take the post kick and fired low into the bottom right corner of the net, sending Flinders the wrong way and giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Turner's men continued to plug away, and although some of the game's pace was lost following the goal, Pools enjoyed their fair share of possession.
Unfortunately there was nothing to really test Smithies ahead of the break and Pools were left with a one-goal deficit to overturn after the break.
Chris Turner made an early change to his eleven in the second half, replacing Denis Behan with Colin Larkin as Pools looked for a different option to break down a well-organised Huddersfield Town side.
While the first half had been highly entertaining, the second was more of a battle as Town looked more intent on holding on to their lead than adding to it.
And Lee Clark had Antony Kay to thank for his team holding on to their lead; a great ball from Larkin on the right found Boyd in a central position in the box.
The Pools striker took a touch on his knee before unleashing a seemingly unstoppable effort on goal - Kay had other ideas though as he rose on the line to head clear, leaving Boyd frustrated.
Pools were left further frustrated 66th minute when Town created their first real threat of the second half to take a real hold of the game.
A great ball in from Roberts on the right wing was headed goalwards by Lee Novak and, with his effort looking to have crept into the top left corner of Flinders'net, Neal Trotman arrived to make sure as he smashed it into the back of the net.
James Brown joined the action with twenty minutes left on the clock to give Pools a much-needed boost to try and get something from this game.
Colin Larkin went on another good run down the right wing to create a promising opening for Turner's men but, while his final ball found Monkhouse arriving from the left, the winger' s low drive was easily collected by Smithies.
James Brown hit his first effort at goal from the right side of the box only to see the ball sail high over the bar, while at the other end Kay fired a powerful low effort at goal which scraped just wide of Flinders' left hand post.
Brown was bundled to the ground under a strong challenge from Tom Clarke but the referee showed no interest in awarding a spot kick.
There was a great chance for Colin Larkin, who made a positive impression after his introduction; a great ball from Jones found the former Northampton Town man just inside the box but despite initial good work, his final ball went high over the bar and that was the final test for the Huddersfield back line.
Pools must now quickly recover from this defeat to fight for three vital points with Carlisle United in Tuesday night's game at The Vic.
Att: 4452 (964 Huddersfield Town)
Pools: Flinders, Austin, Liddle, Collins, Hartley, Jones, Gamble, Sweeney (Bjornsson 83), Monkhouse, Behan (Larkin 54), Boyd (Brown 70)
Subs Not Used: Cook, Clark, Humphreys, McSweeney
Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Peltier (T Clarke 22), Trotman, P Clarke, Heffernan, Pilkington, Drinkwater, Kay, Roberts (Eccleston 78), Rhodes, Novak
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Collins, N Clark, Pearce, Eastwood
