HARTLEPOOL United's dreams of upsetting the odds in the Worthington Cup in front of the television cameras were shattered last night with a 2-0 defeat.

But Chris Turner's side were no disgrace as they fought Paul Hart's Forest team right up until the final whistle.

A goal from Stern John on 33 minutes gave the visitors the lead and then a superb 25-yard free-kick from Chris Bart-Williams on the hour secured victory for Forest.

But the 3,938 crowd at Victoria Park, largely treated to an entertaining cup-tie, will be hoping for a similar display against derby rivals Darlington on Saturday.

Pool quickly got to grips with their opponents and nearly grabbed a deserved opener.

Striker Ritchie Humphreys brought down an Ian Clark centre, but the former's shot went across the face of the goal.

With 19 minutes on the clock the home side went close again when keeper Darren Ward was on hand to save on the line from a Kevin Henderson flick after Graeme Lee had knocked down a corner.

But failure to convert these early chances proved costly for Pool, who allowed Forest to take a 33rd minute lead. Trinidad and Tobago international John was on hand at the front post to turn in a Matthieu Louis-Jean cross.

After the break, Pool were growing in confidence.

But, as in the first half, Forest made Pool pay for failing to convert possession into goals, as Williams curled a tremendous 25-yard free-kick into Hollund's top right corner on the hour to seal the first division's entry into the next round.

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