It was another defeat on the road for Pools as Port Vale came out 2-0 winners at Vale Park.
Pools started the game brightly with the re-introduction of Eddy Jones into the side. Just after 5 minutes, the Stoke loanee man galloped forward before whipping in a dangerous cross into the box but Luke Molyneux couldn’t get on the end of it.
Just two minutes later, the hosts had their first chance as Worrall picked up the ball right of the area but fired over.
On 20 minutes, Molyneux found some space on the right-hand side, his low cross was inches away from Ferguson but the wing back couldn’t get on the end of it.
The biggest chance for Pools came on the 29th minute as Featherstone’s free-kick landed right towards Liddle but it hit of the defenders back and was cleared in the end.
Despite the frustration of the home fans, the opening goal came for the hosts on 35 minutes. Some poor defending from Pools as the ball came across the goaline and Garrity was at the back post to tap home.
An halftime change for Pools saw Luke Molyneux go off for Joe Grey with a change of system that came with it.
An early chance in the second half saw Featherstone get himself to the by-line, put a high cross into the area but Neill Byrne’s header was no danger for Covolan.
As 65 minutes went by, Port Vale continued to control possession with Pools unable to threaten the Port Vale goal.
Two more changes saw Pools bring on Holohan and Goodwin. Then on 70 minutes, Joe Grey picked up the ball on the edge of the area, he danced past a few defenders, but his shot was then blocked.
Just two minutes later, Pools had their biggest chance to get level. Daly got to the by-line, he put the ball across and both Goodwin and Hendrie miss-kicked in front of goal and the hosts cleared.
Pools continued to push forward, Goodwin was played in one and one, he rounded the keeper but was dragged wide and the resulting shot hit the side netting.
In the last moments of the game, the nail was put in the coffin as Tom Pett drove in from the right hand side, onto his left foot and past Killip.
Pools now have two cup games to come with Papa Johns action on Wednesday and FA Cup tie next weekend.
Pools: Killip, Hendrie, Byrne, Liddle, Jones, Crawford (Holohan), Featherstone, Ferguson(Goodwin), Daly (Grey), Molyneux, Cullen
Subs: Mitchell, Ogle, Francis-Angol, Holohan, Shelton, Goodwin, Grey
Yellow cards: Jones (’58)