Hartlepool United were beaten 1-0 by Tamworth in the Enterprise National League, with Kieran Donnelly’s strike shortly before the interval proving decisive for the visitors at Victoria Park.

Pete Wild made three changes to his starting line-up for the fixture, with Charlie Penman handed a full league debut alongside the returning Chris Popov and Jack Nolan.

After a subdued start, Tamworth created the first opportunity on 15 minutes when Olly Dyson’s low effort from inside the area drifted wide of the target.

Pools were awarded a penalty on 20 minutes after Cole Deeming was fouled in the area. Nolan took responsibility from the spot, but was denied by Rhys Lovett. Moments later, Deeming then curled an effort wide of the post.

Tamworth took the lead on 42 minutes. Donnelly latched onto Hayden Carson’s long ball and finished calmly into the bottom-left corner.

The visitors threatened again early in the second half, but Donnelly’s low shot from inside the area was kept out by a strong save from Max Thompson.

Around the hour mark, Hartlepool twice came close to levelling. Firstly, Reiss McNally directed a header wide from a Jamie Miley set-piece, before Nolan’s cross found Jordan Hugill, whose header was tipped over the bar by Lovett.

Pools pressed again in the closing stages, with McNally meeting another Miley corner. This time his close-range attempt was denied by a last-ditch save from Lovett.

Pools are on the road next Saturday with a trip to face Forest Green Rovers in the National League.

HUFC XI: Thompson, John, Hunter © (Darcy 75’), McNally, Miley, Harris, Sheron, Penman, Nolan (Ilunga 62’), Popov (Hugill 55’), Deeming (Charman 62’).

Unused subs: Fisher, Bondo, Thornton.