Hartlepool 2 Shrewsbury 0

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Town failed to perform anywhere near the levels shown in previous weeks, with goals from Charlie Wyke and Brad Walker securing the win for the home side.

And it looked like it might not be Micky Mellon's day right from the first minute after Hartlepool made a blistering start to the match.

Striker Charlie Wyke was put clean through with only goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler to beat, but he dragged his shot wide.

But, 60 seconds later, Wyke atoned for his error. Hartlepool's Jack Compton collided with Connor Goldson, leaving Shrewsbury's stand-in captain in a heap on the floor.

Undeterred Compton took the ball into the box and squared it to Wyke who slotted home from a central position. And on 10 minutes it should have been two.

Winger Jonathan Franks tricked his way into the box and aimed a low cross towards Ryan Brobbel, who shot wide while under pressure.

Town were lucky not to be three down and it wasn't until the 20th minute, when they started to show the quick and inventive passing they have shown in previous games this season.

As the game approached the half-hour mark they registered their first meaningful attempt on target.

James Wesolowski did good work to win the ball back on the right and then passed to Woods, who crossed from deep towards Scott Vernon – the striker meeting the ball with a firm header which sailed just wide.

By now Woods was starting to get a foothold on the game and dictate proceedings. His cross into the box was knocked down by Mark Ellis to James Collins, whose low snap shot was well held by Flinders

Town had now started to apply a bit of pressure and, with five minutes of the first-half remaining, they had a golden chance to level.

Wesolowkski surged into the box and with a delicate chip managed to find Vernon, sadly for the blue and amber army, the striker's effort was straight at Flinders who made a simple catch.

With 30 seconds to go, Town were given a free-kick on the edge of the box with Jordan Clark lifted high and wide.

It was a disappointing end to a disappointing half for Town, who had got nowhere near the levels shown against Luton the previous week.

With boss Mellon's response ringing in their ears after the break, Town came out much sharper for the second half.

However, the feeling it might not be their day continued when some nice footwork by Clark on the edge of the box saw him eventually tumble to the ground.

With the Town support expecting a free-kick, the referee's card came out but it was shown to Clark for an alleged dive.

Town made a double change, with strikers Andy Mangan and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro coming on for Mickey Demetriou and Vernon.

The former Kidderminster Harriers defender had been given a torrid time all afternoon by on-loan Middlesbrough winger Ryan Brobbel.

Akpa Akpro got straight into the action and burst into the box before sending in a lovely cross with the outside of his boot, which evaded everyone.

Collins tried to keep the move alive and found space on the edge of the box before shooting over. But the game had become a scrappy affair with Hartlepool forcing Town to go long, with very little being created.

And, in the 70^th minute, frustrations boiled over with both Jermaine Grandison and Collins receiving yellow cards for pushing and shoving in the box, while Wesolowski waited to take a corner.

With 15 minutes to go, Akpa Akpro hit a fierce shot from 20 yards straight at the keeper with Shrewsbury now desperate for an equaliser.

But, moments later, Hartlepool secured the win their performance deserved when a fine counter-attack ended with Walker sliding home Compton's pinpoint pass.

Town looked to get back into the game with Clark setting up Collins but, once again his shot was too close to the goalkeeper.

As the matched headed towards the 90-minute mark, Brobbel brilliantly ran with the ball from his own half into the Town box.

Knight-Percival had to race to the scene and go shoulder to shoulder, doing just enough to prevent a third.

But there was to be no more meaningful action, as Town slipped to their second defeat of the week following the Johnstone's Paint Trophy exit at Preston.