HARTLEPOOL United's dreams of upsetting the odds in the Worthington Cup in front of the television cameras were shattered on Monday 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. Chris Turner kept the same side for the third game on the trot, as he looked to keep up his unbeaten start to the season.

And Forest manager Paul Hart fielded star striker David Johnson, who made his name at Ipswich Town before moving on last season.

It was Hart's side that created the first opening, and, but for a superb save from keeper Martin Hollund, should have taken the lead.

Hollund got down well to palm away Jermaine Jenas' header after Stern John's cross from the left.

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.

Another good move shortly after involving Jon Bass, Clark and Tommy Widdrington led to Henderson having space to shoot in the box but the ball flew straight into the hands of Ward.

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.

That saw the away side grow in confidence and they had further opportunities to add to the lead.

And five minutes before the break Pool skipper Michael Barron led by example when his heroics on the line kept the score the same, after Johnson had lofted the ball over hesitant Hollund.

Pool came out clearly with intent, but they struggled to get in behind the Forest backline.

They did on one occasion - when Mark Tinkler and Humphreys set Henderson clear - but the former Burnley man's cross went out of play.

On 54 minutes Humphreys had calls for a penalty turned down when he went flying in the box under a challenge from highly-rated full-back Jim Brennan.

Pool were by this time growing in confidence once again, but they were caught napping when John headed a Jenas cross wide.

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

The goal made Pool step up a gear and Turner brought on 23-year-old Darrell Clarke for Widdington, as the hosts looked to be more of an attacking force.

Despite plenty of attractive play though the final ball into the box was disappointing.

But within seconds of Clarke's introduct he improved on that with some very dangerous crosses that the Forest backline had to be at their best to clear.

The former Mansfield midfielder then had a shot from eight yards saved by Ward as Pool hoped for a little luck in the dying minutes.

A melee on the Pool goalline, after another Bart-Williams free-kick was scrambled away, but Pool's hopes of an upset were quickly fading.

Despite pushing forward for the last quarter of an hour there was to be no reward for a display that Turner will be pleased with, even though Humphreys did hit the top of the bar with two minutes left.

But it is Forest who progress and manager Hart will now be looking forward to a date in the next round with possible a team from the Premiership.

Read more about Hartlepool United here.