Hartlepool United’s season went from bad to worse when they suffered back-to-back home defeats when Rochdale won 3-0 at the Prestige Group Stadium.

Darren Sarll’s team were sunk by goals from Connor McBride, Kairo Mitchell and former Pools forward Devante Rodney.

Pools boss Sarll handed a first start to Gary Madine, who was paired with last season’s top marksman Mani Dieseruvwe up front.

Pools went with a back three of Dan Dodds, the returning skipper Luke Waterfall and Tom Parkes, with loan signing Nathan Asiimwe and Luke Charman as the wing-backs.

Pools mustered two efforts at goal in the opening half, with Nicky Featherstone flashing a shot just over the bar in the 23rd minute while Charman put an effort high over the target.

Rochdale offered little in terms of shots but, just as the half seemed to be petering out to a goalless bore, the Lancashire team found the net through McBride.

Mitchell found McBride in space with the midfielder advancing and beating Adam Smith with a cool dinked finish.

Sarll made a change for the second half with Greg Sloggett coming on for Nathan Sheron.

Pools had their first, and only shot on target, in the 49th minute when Madine’s shot on the turn brought a save from keeper Luke McNicholas.

That was as good as it got as Rochdale doubled their lead in the 58th minute.

Great work down the right by Kyron Gordon and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling puts the ball on a plate for Mitchell to tap in from a couple of yards.

It was all done and dusted in the 79th minute when Rodney made it three.

A slide rule ball put the striker through and rounded Smith to find the empty net.

Pools: Smith, Dodds, Waterfall, Parkes, Asiimwe (Robinson 78′), Sheron (Sloggett 46′), Featherstone (Mathurin 66′), Charman (Mancini 58), Grey, Dieseruvwe, Madine (Campbell 72′)

Subs (not used): Young, Sass-Davies