HARTLEPOOL UNITED suffered another home defeat, going down 2-1 to Luton Town. 

The Hatters have now won six from seven unbeaten games, as Pools remain at the wrong end of the League Two table. 

They started well - as caretaker boss Sam Collins wanted - and Charlie Wyke tested keeper Mark Tyler from 25 yards in the opening minutes. 

Then Ryan Brobbel, lively and confident on the wing in the first-half especially, fired wide. 

Pools should have had a penalty when Charlie Wyke was felled in the area, but referee - much to Collins' disgust - waved away the appeals. 

But the Hatters took the lead when a pass played inside the Pools defence put Mark Cullen in on goal and he slotted low under Scott Flinders.

In the second-half, Pools tried to get through the visiting defence, but the massed ranks of Orange shirts, with centre-half Steve McNulty outstanding, proved hard to break down.

Neil Austin and Paul Benson tangled on the edge of the area and, as both went to ground, the free-kick went against Pools.

Andy Drury took it, Flinders saved, but substitute Jim Stevenson, with his first touch, knocked in the loose ball. 

Pools got one back from the penalty spot in injury time through Neil Austin. 

There was a minute's applause after 14 minutes in memory of Rhys Hewitt, a 14-year-old season ticket holder who died this week after being struck by a car. A number of his schoolfriends were in attendance today, along with his family.

And, on 25 minutes, Victoria Park saluted former midfielder Michael Maidens with a round of applause. It's seven years ago on Sunday since Maidens was killed in a road accident. 

 

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Duckworth, Harrison, Austin, Jones; Miller, Bates (Walker 78); Brobbel, Woods (Smith 63), Hawkins (Franks 88); Wyke. Subs: Woodman (gk), Richards, Nearney, Green.

LUTON TOWN: Tyler; Harriman, McNulty, Wilkinson, Griffiths; Doyle, Drury, Smith; Cullen (Benson 71), Ruddock (Stevenson 79), Miller. Subs: Lacey, Wall, Justham, Guttridge, Stevenson, Walker.