Hartlepool United were knocked out in the third round of the Isuzu FA Trophy after a 2-1 defeat to Anstey Nomads at the Prestige Group Stadium.
After a Jordan Annable strike inside 15 minutes, Pools almost equalised when Danny Johnson saw his penalty kick saved.
The Nomads found a second soon after, before Campbell Darcy pulled one back for the hosts in injury time – a first Pools goal for the 19-year-old.
Nicky Featherstone made several changes for the cup clash – Nathan Ferguson, Danny Johnson, Pharrell Brown, and Adam Smith all came into the starting 11 against the Northern Premier League Midlands outfit.
Darcy and Louis Stephenson were also included the squad, after being recalled from Hebburn Town and Buxton respectively.
Anstey dominated the opening exchanges, and, after a barrage of corners, took the lead in the 13th minute.
Kyle Tomlin’s teasing delivery found captain Jordan Annable, who fired home from close range.
At the half-hour mark, a corner from Adam Campbell was headed towards goal by Max Kouougun, with Danny Johnson unable to guide home with an outstretched leg.
10 minutes later, Courey Grantham and Oscar Tonge pounced on a miscued pass at the edge of Hartlepool’s box; however, Tonge’s final effort dragged wide of the bottom-right corner.
Early into the second period, Pools had a great opportunity to get back into the tie when the referee called to the spot, after Danny Johnson was bundled down in the Nomads’ box.
Johnson stepped up to take the penalty, but saw his spot-kick headed for the right corner saved well Anthony Nunzez. From there, Campbell’s rebounded strike across goal rifled inches outside the left post.
On 56 minutes, matters got worse for Pools when Chitiza doubled the visitors’ lead, emphatically firing into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the hosts’ box.
Featherstone’s side struggled to break down a resolute Anstey team, coming close in the 80th minute as Campbell clipped the ball over for Cameron John, who drove into the Nomads’ box but rattled his effort wide.
Deep into injury time, Darcy halved the deficit; finding the top-right corner in expert fashion, though, this proved to be only consolation.
Pools: Smith, Benn (Stephenson 53′), John, Parkes ©, Kouogun, Ferguson (Sheron 57′), Johnson (Reid 53′), Campbell, Miley, Brown (Darcy 53′), Daly
Unused subs: Evans, Aungiers
Goal: Darcy (90+5′)
Attendance: 1001
