HARTLEPOOL United, never out of the top half of the table this season, were taught a thing or two by leaders QPR on Saturday.

This season has been a fine one for Neale Cooper and his squad. They've exceeded expectations and played some scintillating stuff at times.

But if anyone wanted an example of the gulf in stature which exists in the division, this game provided it.

QPR, full of victories, confidence and class will probably have given Pool - on this showing - a harder game than out of sorts Sunderland will on January 3 in the FA Cup.

Despite an encouraging start, with Cooper living up to his word and sending his team out to have a go at Ian Holloway's side, they were humbled by the team who, it's safe to say, will walk away with the league title.

Pool have had encouraging results against some of the so-called bigger clubs this season. Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale, Grimsby, Bristol City and Brighton have all found that Cooper's side are not to be taken lightly.

Their away form has been patchy of late. There's been some miserable performances, the likes of Blackpool, Luton and Plymouth spring immediately to mind.

Yet, despite the result, this wasn't a performance to make Christmas shopping with the wife a more attractive proposition; it certainly wasn't in the Blackpool category. Granted, there was disappointment with some of Pool's defending for the goals, but QPR were bigger, stronger and far more clinical.

The consolation is that they won't face a team like QPR every week.

Cooper admitted: "We were taught a lesson by a good, good football team.

"We have played a lot worse at times this season and the players kept going in the second-half even when the game was over. At half-time we were three behind and there was a danger they could have done to us what we did to Grimsby, but the players didn't allow that to happen.

"We knew they were a quality side. But we gave the ball away at times too easily.

"This game showed that we are a long way from the likes of QPR, in terms of quality players and ability. We played better than we did at Plymouth, but their quality of ball was far better than ours.''

There was a couple of warnings before the first goal, Jim Provett getting down low on both occasions to keep out the shots.

But Cooper was critical of the manner in which the goals went in: "For the first goal, Micky Barron should have stopped the cross, then the boy heads it in between two of our defenders.

"Second goal, I saw him doing that before the game started. I was watching him trying it and warned the lads, but there is nothing anyone can do.

"For the third, Westy, Nelse and Barron could have all cut the ball out but we have given the ball away first.

"In the second-half we were playing for a bit of pride. They get a free-kick 40 yards out and you think the defence will hold their line and head it out. Again it's a brilliant ball in, but we have to be stronger. The ball landed in the six yard box and it's in, but that's two real quality balls from the left-back.''

He added: "They battered us in front of goal, they were organised, strong and the boys the bring on from the bench are quality players.''

Left-back Gino Padula was the main tormentor, scoring direct from a corner and setting up Gareth Ainsworth for the fourth goal.

After Kevin Gallen was allowed to head in too easily from six yards, QPR won a right sided corner. They packed the area around Provett, blocking his chances of getting to the near post - the exact spot where the Argentinian had in his sights. By the time Provett arrived he could only help the ball on its way.

Number three came when Gallen finished off a low Ainsworth ball which cut across the back line from the flank and number four arrived from Padula's long range free-kick which Ainsworth touched past Provett.

Yet Pool did start lively, with new recruit Chris Shuker looking a danger on the left wing. He gave every indication he will prove a good asset during his loan spell from Man City.

Eifion Williams, moved to the right wing in the second-half, netted Pool's goal, rifling in a cross from the left as he raced from deep.

But most of Pool's chance were cut short by the flag happy assistant. They were flagged offside an almost unheard of 21 times, an average of every 4.29 minutes.

Some were clear cut, some were marginal, some were nothing short of a joke, the flag going up to entertain the crowd more than anything inthe second period.

Cooper said: "We lost count of the number of times the flag went up. I told the boys at half-time not to play offsides, to come deep and pick the ball up. One or two I thought were a bit strange in the second-half."

Result: Queens Park Rangers 4 Hartlepool United 1.

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