Hartlepool United fell to a 4-3 defeat on Boxing Day away to National League rivals Gateshead.

Lennie Lawrence made an enforced change to the starting line-up, with Adam Campbell’s groin injury against Yeovil ruling the attacker out.

That saw Joe Grey return to the starting 11, while Greg Sloggett made the bench for the first time since his ankle injury last month.

Pools created the better chances early on, with Mani Dieseruvwe going wide of the front post before Nicky Featherstone tested the keeper.

The opener came the opposite way, however. Luke Hannant delivered for Tyrelle Newton to fire home inside the Pools penalty area.

Anthony Mancini and Tom Parkes came close to finding Pools’ equaliser, but the best opportunity saw Luke Charman race towards goal before his effort was saved low.

After 30 minutes, Gateshead found a second. Owen Oseni was denied moments earlier by Adam Smith, but Ben Worman soon found the back of the net with a chipped effort.

Grey restored hope for the visitors before half-time, as the winger cut inside and curled a delightful effort into the Gateshead goal on 35 minutes.

Pools’ start to the second half was an encouraging one, but the Heed made it 3-1 when Worman set Newton to slam home on the hour.

Lawrence responded with three changes, but Gateshead continued in their stride with Newton striking the post from range.

One of Hartlepool’s changes, Gary Madine, made an impact on 85 minutes as he converted from Featherstone’s deep free-kick.

Gateshead responded moments later with Oseni restoring their two-goal advantage, before Madine scored an audacious strike to cancel it out and make it 4-3.

Former Pools defender, Carl Magnay, held on in the Gateshead dugout as the home side claimed all three points.

With 2024 now over for Pools, a New Year’s Day test against Oldham Athletic is next on the agenda for Lawrence’s side.

Pools: Smith, Sheron (Dodds 72’), Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Hunter, Featherstone, Mancini (Madine 72’), Charman (LuaLua 66’), Grey, Dieseruvwe

Subs (not used): Young, Sass-Davies, Bondswell, Sloggett