HARTLEPOOL UNITED were defeated by strugglers Wycombe Wanderers after coming unstuck with a poor second half performance.

Jack Barmby's 41st minute goal gave Pools the lead, but the visitors were hit by second half goals from Dean Morgan and Matt McClure.

Barmby's cushioned volley four minutes before half-time was the difference at the interval, with Pools looking to close the gap on the play-off places and Wycombe fighting the drop from the Football League.

But it was the hosts that looked stronger in the first 45, with the Chairboys enjoying a couple of chances in front of goal, Matt Bloomfield and Matt McClure both going close.

Their chances came after Pools should have been awarded a penalty after five minutes when Anthony Stewart hauled Luke James down in the area, but referee Andy Madley was unswayed.

Pools failed to build on that lead in the second half and were undone by Wycombe, who hit the visitors with two goals to sink Colin Cooper's side.

Morgan headed home from Marvin McCoy's cross on 52 minutes, then McClure stooped to nod past Flinders on 69 minutes.

Pools rarely rallied, save for a late strike by Brad Walker that was deflected out for a corner that came to nothing.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS (4-4-2): Ingram; McCoy, Johnson, Stewart, Wood; Arnold, Scowen, Bloomfield, Kretzschmar; Morgan (Craig 90), Cowan-Hall (McClure 8). Subs: Horlock, Jeffrey, Kuffour, Pierre, Kewley-Graham.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-1-2-1-2): Flinders; Richards, Collins, Burgess, Holden; Walton (Rodney 87); Walker, Monkhouse; Barmby (Sweeney 73); Harewood (Franks 73), James. Substitutes: Rafferty, Poole, Compton, Hawkins.