Hartlepool United went down to their fourth successive defeat when losing 2-1 at relegation battlers AFC Fylde.

Pools took a fourth-minute lead through David Ferguson’s stunning free-kick from 25 yards, only to concede goals from Gavin Massey and Charlie Jolley inside the first 20 minutes.

Anthony Limbrick’s team dominated possession and had the bulk of the chances, but could not find Ben Winterbottom’s net.

Limbrick made several changes to the side that was defeated by York City on Saturday with Billy Sass-Davies, Ferguson and Sam Folarin all named in the starting line-up.

Pools made a dream start when they took a fourth-minute lead on Mill Farm’s sandy surface.

Joe Grey was hacked down by defender Harry Davis when bearing down on the home box and Ferguson made the Coasters pay when he thundered his free-kick in via the keeper’s right-hand post. It was a stunning strike.

Alas, the away lead lasted all of eight minutes as Adam Smith was unable to keep out Massey’s low shot from outside the box which went in off the keeper’s left stick.

Ferguson went close to repeating his free-kick brilliance in the 16th minute but, this time, Ben Winterbottom palmed his dead-ball effort over the crossbar.

Pools went behind three minutes later. Smith came out well to make a good save, but the loose ball fell to Jolley who found the net with ease to put the Coasters 2-1 up.

The remainder of the first half was all Pools.

Gary Madine shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area but was then thwarted from much closer after Winterbottom made a brilliant double save from point-blank range.

Joe Grey went close with a first-effort while Nicky Featherstone saw a header saved by the home goalie.

Two minutes into added time, Featherstone should have brought Pools level but fired straight at Winterbottom after another good incursion into the home area.

Limbrick made a double change just before the hour with Dieseruvwe and Reyes Cleary coming on for Madine and Folarin.

They were immediately into the action with Dieseruvwe going wide from Cleary’s cross from the left, while Winterbottom did well to keep an over-hit Cleary cross from dropping into his goal.

A third Pools change arrived 18 minutes from time when Adam Campbell replaced Grey, whose shot off target seconds earlier was his last contribution.

The deluge of subs did not appear to have had any benefit, though there was a final chance five minutes into added time when Campbell had a shot blocked after good work by Cleary.

Pools: Smith, Sheron, Sass-Davies, Parkes, Ferguson, Featherstone (Miley 83), Hunter (Dodds 77), Charman, Grey (Campbell 72), Folarin (Cleary 58), Madine (Dieseruvwe 58)

Subs (not used): Foster, Sloggett