Ten-man Hartlepool United fell to a 2-1 defeat against Altrincham at The J.Davidson Stadium in the Enterprise National League.

Tom Crawford’s late strike secured victory for the hosts after Jamie Miley equalised following Kane Hemmings’ opener. Pools were reduced to ten men inside the final 20 minutes when Jack Hunter received a second yellow card.

Lee Clark made two changes ahead of the clash in Greater Manchester, handing a full Pools debut to Cole Deeming while Jay Benn returned to the starting XI.

Pools started brightly, as Miley and Reiss McNally had efforts cleared off the line inside the opening moments of the game. 

Ilunga was at the forefront of Pools’ play, drilling a cross towards Will Harris, who was inches away from guiding his effort home at the back post.

The hosts were awarded a spot kick on 27 minutes following an Alty corner, and Hemmings made no mistake as he dispatched his penalty to put the hosts in front.

15 minutes later, though, Clark’s side were level when another teasing Ilunga delivery was met by Miley, who headed home into the bottom-right corner.

Early in the second period, Miley fired just over the bar from the edge of the box, before Alty attacked and Hemmings failed to direct a teasing cross home.

Just past the hour mark, Deeming’s first-time strike sliced just wide after great work from Benn down the right-hand side.

Pools were reduced to ten men not long after, with Hunter receiving a second yellow card for a pull-back in the visitors’ half.

After Liam Humbles’ attempt in the box fizzed wide, the Robins found their second on 82 minutes when Crawford drilled his shot beyond Nathan Fisher from inside the 18-yard box. 

HUFC XI: Fisher, Benn, Hunter ©, McNally, Ilunga, Miley, Harris, Sheron, Nolan (Popov 78’), Gibson (John 52’), Deeming (Thornton 78’).

Unused subs: Smith, Penman, Bondo, Hugill.