Kevin Phillips tasted his first defeat in the Pools dugout on Saturday afternoon, despite a late surge at the ARMCO Arena.
Pools travelled to Solihull Moors on a five-game unbeaten run, though Phillips was forced into several changes due to injury and suspension. Louis Stephenson, Manny Onariase and Kieran Wallace all stepped into the starting line-up for the away side.
The visitors started brightly as Wallace scuffed an effort past the post, while Joe Grey forced the Solihull keeper into a neat save.
However, the opener came Solihull’s way on 20 minutes. Pools failed to clear Jamey Osborne’s corner, which allowed Tahvon Campbell to strike home following Jack Stevens’ initial shot.
And the hosts searched for a second when Tyrese Shade unleashed an effort towards the top corner from 25 yards, only for Joel Dixon to make a spectacular stop.
Meanwhile at the other end, a Pools counter saw Grey race from the halfway line but the attacker poked his shot wide of the far post.
Solihull’s second almost came through Stevens with 50 on the clock, as the attacker met Jay Benn’s cross at close-range but Dixon managed to claw the header off the line.
Luke Waterfall saw two headers saved as Pools looked to equalise, before Solihull’s advantage was eventually doubled in the 66th minute.
Campbell set Callum Maycock on the edge of the Hartlepool box, and the midfielder made no mistake in finding the far corner to make it 2-0.
There was still a late twist in the tale, though, as Callum Cooke revived hope for Pools with 15 minutes to go. The midfielder fired into the bottom corner after several efforts were crowded out on the goal line.
And Pools managed to carve open one more opportunity in the 90th minute, however Mani Dieseruvwe’s header was denied by the foot of the post as Solihull saw the game out and claimed a 2-1 win.
Pools: Dixon, Stephenson (Senior 57), Waterfall, Onariase (Duffus 85), Parkes, Ferguson, Wallace (Cooper 68), Featherstone, Cooke, Grey, Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Jameson, Dickenson
Goal: Cooke (75)
Solihull goals: Campbell (20), Maycock (66)