HARTLEPOOL United paid the price for a slack start as they were knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy by Oldham for the second year in succession.

Last season penalties proved their downfall as they lost in a shoot-out; this year they were two goals down before they started.

They then found their feet and controlled possession for long periods, but this is Pool on the road and they have forgotton how to klll games off away from Victoria Park.

At least they have home advantage in the FA Cup on Saturday against Aldershot.

Pool could have been a goal down after 70 seconds. A free-kick was poorly defended and Chris Killen couldn't find the killer touch with the goal gaping.

After four minutes Kevin Betsy looked a certain scorer after peeling away from Micky Nelson. Dimi Konstantopoulos stood his ground to make a strong, low block from the striker who spent time on loan at Victoria Park this season.

Then came the turn of Oldham's foreign keeper to keep the score down. A neat interchange led to Adam Boyd finding space and his measured shot was clawed out by Les Pogliacomi.

Pool lined up with five across the midfield, trying to keep things tight and put a block to their run of away defeats.

It made no difference as they conceded two soft goals in a minute.

Dean Holden crossed from the right, David Eyres headed across goal and Neil Kilkenny was one of two blue shirts loitering unmarked inside the six-yard box waiting to score.

Oldham then won a free-kick on the right and Kilkenny's cross was handled inside the area by Micky Barron.

Killen sent Konstantopoulos the wrong way from the spot.

Pool's organisation at the back was poor and their distribution not much better, which meant chances were rare.

They improved immeasurably towards the end of the half and by then they were back in it thanks to a slice of fortune after 33 minutes.

Boyd's low shot was heading towards Pogliacomi's dive before it deflected to the opposite side of goal thanks to a diversion from Danny Hall.

Rob Lee was making his Oldham debut after signing a one-month deal, and it was 49 minutes before his first big involvement.

The ex-Newcastle man dillied and dallied before finding space to fire a shot inches wide of the upright from 20 yards.

If Pool were fortunate with Boyd's goal, Oldham's defence led a charmed life when substitute Andy Appleby looked a certain scorer.

After latching on to a through-ball he was crowded out, but Poglicomi hacked at his clearance, leaving Appleby clear only for defender Will Haining to push the ball away.

Then Tinkler's goal-bound header from six yards hit Haining in the face as an equaliser loomed.

Eyres thumped a 30-yard free kick against the post, before Pool missed a sitter.

Boyd tricked his way through to find Humphreys and his lay-off fed Appleby six yards out. But he stabbed wide with the goal gaping.

Minutes later the miss proved so costly as Lee Croft finished from close range after a mazy Kilkenny run.

That goal left Pool feeling sick and one decision against them too many saw coach Martin Scott sent to the stands for complaining.

* John Gorman has been confirmed as the new manager of League Two side Wycombe.

Gorman, who left his role as caretaker boss at Gillingham yesterday, succeeds Tony Adams, who resigned this month.

The Scot, who was assistant to Glenn Hoddle when he was England manager, enjoyed a successful spell in charge of the Chairboys in October 2003 following the departure of Lawrie Sanchez.

Read more about Hartlepool here.