HARTLEPOOL United again discovered the difference between success and defeat in Division Two - about a million pounds.

Pool went down to a home defeat to Bristol City, their second Victoria Park reverse in three games after going 28 without losing.

And, just like against Barnsley on Boxing Day, the deciding factor was in the ability - or not - to take goalscoring chances.

Joel Porter sidefooted high and horribly over the bar from 10 yards in the first half and Eifion Williams screwed a volley wide from a similar distance after Pool fell a goal behind.

The visitors, on the other hand, took 52 minutes to register a shot on target and, by the time they had their third a minute later, they were in front.

A pass from halfway into Lee Miller's feet, one touch to striking partner Lee Peacock, one chance for the £600,000 striker, one goal. By then Pool had seen half a dozen chances go begging.

But that's not a criticism of Pool or their strikers. It's a fact of life that clubs like Barnsley and Bristol have more resources.

And with the retirement of the wily Marco Gabbiadini, Neale Cooper's need for a striker is ever growing.

But Cooper can't go out and spend £925,000 on a strikeforce like the one his side were up against on Saturday. Danny Wilson's other £250,000 recruit, former Middlesbrough midfielder Luke Wilkshire, was away with Australia on Olympic duty so to replace him he went out and spent more than £100,000 on Mark Goodfellow from Stoke.

It's those resources which mean Bristol City can chase QPR and Plymouth all the way while ten other clubs are separated by seven points as they chase the other play-off spots.

Yet for the first half Pool were on top. The visitors didn't look like a team bubbling with confidence after five wins on the trot. For all their millions City were second best.

Pool are proving they are no mugs in Division Two; they can certainly match the best.

Like the Barnsley game, when Pool had first-half chances aplenty to win the game, they were made to pay.

It's a fine line between success and failure, but one which left Cooper an angry and disappointed manager.

"The difference in the game was the strikers," he reflected. "They made a real difference - Peacock and Miller, different gravy. Class.

"They've got the money to go out and buy players like that. We started really well and I think the game lost a bit of its tempo when the linesman went off injured.

"Joel Porter had a good chance he wasted and I told him that. I was quite angry. Look at their two, they never gave our defenders a moment, they were challenging for everything, banging into them, making great runs.

"Look at the first goal. A little pass off and bang. Maybe Matty Robson sat a bit deep to play them onside, but it was about the finish and movement.

"Docherty is a different class, and Tinnion and Goodfellow who they just spent big money on. It's hard to match that but for a long time in the game we did it.

"In the game down there in August we drew and gave them a tough game. Peacock and Miller cost big money but that's life, that's how it is.

"We've got to work and try and get in the best quality we can for the right kind of money. We can't compete with a lot of the big hitters.''

He added: "They are a strong team, quality and I knew that before the game. Some of my players have to do better and look at the players they play against and learn.

"You have to put the ball in the back of the net.

"We've had chances but not done it. Good strikers put them away.

"We need more from some players. Joel Porter is one and he knows it. He does a lot of work outside the area, but missed a great chance inside the area.''

Porter's chance came when Matty Robson curled the ball over and around the visiting defence. The Australian took it first time, but he took it with his body open and shot high and wide.

Chris Shuker worked an opening with Ritchie Humphreys on the left, cut inside but shot wide before Efion Williams nodded onto the roof of the net after stretching to meet Micky Nelson's flick.

City's best chance in the half came when Mark Goodfellow, a real threat on the wing, looked a certain scorer from eight yards but a pack of white shirts kept it out.

Robson was enjoying his forays forward. He hit a free kick at the defensive wall, won the ball back and beat two players to play in Mark Tinkler. His cross was met by Williams but was again headed over.

Goodfellow charged forward and, with the goal in his sights, was poleaxed by Micky Barron. It was a foul someone had to make to halt him.

Tinnion's free-kick was heading for the top corner before Jim Provett's intervention. He went high to his right to claw it away.

From the corner, the keeper, with nothing to do before then, did it again to keep out a header. Seconds later he was exposed as Peacock netted.

As Barron and Westwood were caught out, Miller fed his strike partner who had peeled away from the defenders and confidently shot under Provett's legs and the keeper came out.

Shuker's overhead kick struck the hand of Matthew Hill, but there was no penalty and it was soon 1-1.

Strachan's corner was thumped home by Tinkler for his first goal since September.

But the left boot of Tinnion rifled in a 20-yard drive six minutes later for a goal the player thought one of the best of his long career.

Result: Hartlepool United 1 Bristol City 2.

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