THREE years ago today Chris Turner kicked off his Hartlepool United managerial career.

He faced Rotherham, drew 0-0 and had 13 games to save the club from relegation to the Conference, a task he passed with flying colours.

It has since been an annual task to reach the play-offs, but the job was made a little more difficult by last night's defeat at Cheltenham.

After losing 3-0 to their play-off rivals they now have 11 games to achieve their aim for the third season in a row.

Two seasons ago Pool pipped Cheltenham to the final play-off spot; this time Cheltenham are in the driving seat, four points ahead of Pool with three games in hand.

Just 16 points and 11 goals have come on Pool's travels. They won't play any better than they did in the first half last night, but they failed to turn their domination into goals and paid the price.

Pool started brightly, their swift passing causing problems for the home side and Ritchie Humphreys, lifted by Saturday's double haul against Southend, flashed a header wide from a Paul Smith cross.

Paul Stephenson was at the hub of Pool's attacks and a neat turn on the edge of the area cut open the home defence, but the midfielder shot wide.

Adam Boyd then turned Chris Banks in the penalty area and his shot troubled home keeper Steve Banks, who was relived when his instinctive save clawed the ball away.

The Pool defence were rarely tested but there was a scare on the half-hour.

Eight-goal Boyd stayed down after dropping deep for a 50-50 challenge, but the striker was able to continue after treatment.

Stephenson, enjoying by far his best display of the season, swopped passes with Smith to win Pool's fourth corner, but it came to nothing.

A superb passing move, started in the middle by Stephenson, led to Smith meeting James Coppinger's cross but he shot wide across goal.

Pool's passing game silenced the home crowd, who could only look on in admiration, and when Cheltenham did get the ball forward Graeme Lee was getting the better of giant striker Julian Alsop.

A tannoy announcement during the first-half called on supporters to cut out bad language.

It could only have been from the frustrated home fans, but on 40 minutes it was the Pool supporters cursing as Cheltenham scored with their first effort of any note.

Lee Williams whipped in a cross from the right and Tony Naylor, the smallest player on the pitch, was left unmarked to plant a header beyond Anthony Williams from six yards.

Incredibly, it was soon 2-0. When Smith conceded a free kick 30 yards out, it was chipped into the area.

Willliams pushed out Naylor's header and Alsop was there to nod in the easiest of goals to stun the visitors.

Pool came out looking for a swift response and Smith delivered a teasing cross that beat Book and Jamie Victory had to head away.

Tinkler then drilled a 20-yard free kick over the bar.

Boyd went off after 53 minutes, with manager Turner opting for the pace of Jermaine Easter to cause problems for the home defence.

After Micky Barron's cross was cleared, Smith whipped in another ball which Victory thumped away for another corner, which Easter met but with no power.

Scorer Alsop was booked after clattering Williams when the Pool keeper raced out to clear and Lee followed after getting involved in the fracas that followed.

Referee David Crick was losing control as stoked-up Pool looked for a way back against their cocky hosts and next he booked Tinkler after a tackle on halfway.

The home side nearly made it three and Pool were thankful Stephenson was on hand to whack Mark Yates' header off the line.

A minute later, the third goal duly arrived, Naylor bagging his second after running through the Pool defence from the left and shooting past Willams.

* Pool have made an enquiry about Torquay striker Eifion Williams. The Welshman has been mainly restricted to substitute appearances this season and while no move is imminent, Turner is likely to make a move in the summer

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