THREE games, three defeats and setting a new record low attendance: Hartlepool United’s impression on the Checkatrade Trophy has been quite magnificent.

When it comes to the most disjointed and farcical competition English football has ever known, Pools have set the standards.

And the ironic thing is that no-one cares; the Monkey Hangers couldn’t give a monkey’s.

After defeats to Notts County and Sunderland, Rochdale made it three last night in a game played out in front of the lowest crowd for a competitive home game – 380, of which 30 were from Rochdale.

Pool’s previous best (or worst however you want to look at it) was the 655 for a game in this same competition against Bradford in 1982.

This had the feeling of a reserve game at best, more akin to a pointless pre-season kick about.

Boss Craig Hignett has been critical of the competition from the off, and last night he was no different.

“It was as game I didn't want,’’ he said. "I would rather have had a league game.

"It was a chance for some to prove they were worth their place.

"I don't know how this game was teaching any of the kids anything.

"It was just like playing reserve game. But they are pros and if you have ambition you have to do well.

I was a pro and it doesn't matter what level I was playing at. I'm not sure some the lads have the same attitude as me.’’

The Pools boss was also disappointed with his players for failing to make the most of a chance to impress.

“One or two showed glimpses, but overall I was disappointed and especially with decision making and in the final third,’’ he said.

“I see things in training and if they do it on a matchday they are in the team, but training quality and match

“Nerves, trying too hard over whatever, you have to take your chance.

“The atmosphere should not affect the players and their performance. We couldn’t progress to the next round, but it’s not meaningless as a footballer – you always have an aim and a goal and I was a bit disappointed with what I saw tonight.’’

Pools made seven changes, one more than the permitted number. Teams have to field six first-team players as they are classed under competition rules.

They were allowed one more alteration last night because goalkeeper Trevor Carson is away on international duty with Northern Ireland.

He’s also off for the weekend when Pools meet Cheltenham, with Adam Bartlett again replacing him.

The goalkeeper will hope for better fortune than he did last night, when he was beaten twice.

The opener came on 20 minutes, a slide-rule pass split the defence and the lively Reuben Noble Lazarus was onto it quickly and drilled it past the keeper.

Bartlett could have conceded a second minutes after the first, but Oliver Rathbone blasted over from close range.

Pool didn’t offer much going forward, and making little impact on the visiting back four.

Billy Paynter fed Jake Orrell, but his cut-back across the area evaded the blue and white shirts running to the area.

Back at the other end, the impressive Andrew Cannon somehow missed the target after taking a touch in front of goal.

Michael Woods is a key man for Pools and when he plays well, Pools do. Back from injury, he was prominent.

However, Brad Walker, on a rare start, started well and showed promise, but soon faded. He did, however, do well to track back and prevent a tap-in for Nathan Mendez-Laing.

Pools were soon two-down, as debutant Matthew Gillam turned in from close range.

Substitute Rhys Oates, back from a loan at Gateshead, was denied by keeper Josh Lillis, but he wasn’t to be denied soon afterwards.

A slack back pass played him in through the middle, and he finished well.

Rochdale included five-year-old Joshua McCormack on the bench.

The Dale fan was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and was told it was terminal in September.

Joshua wasn’t able to attend the game, but had a shirt hung up in the changing room and was named as one of Dale's seven substitutes, with the squad number 55.

When Lazarus opened the scoring, the team ran to the bench to hold up his shirt.

Goals: Lazarus (20; 0-1); Gillam (68, 0-2); Oates (85, 1-2)

Booking: Donnelly (foul 28)

Referee: Scott Duncan (Newcastle) 6

Attendance: 380

Entertainment: 1/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3): Bartlett 5; Richards 5, Bates 6 (Wise 46, 5), Harrison 6, Martin 6 (Pollock 73), Donnelly 5, Woods 7, Walker 5, Orrell 6, Paynter 5, Deverdics 6 (Oates 64, 5). Subs (not used): Dudzinski (gk), Hawkins, Laurent, Richardson.

ROCHDALE (4-4-2): Lillis 5; Rafferty 6, Tanser 5, McNulty 7, McGahey 6, Gillam 7, Rathbone 6, Thompson 6 (Barry-Murphy 56, 5; Bunney 77)), Lazarus 5, Cannon 7 (Mendez-Laing 60, 6), Morley 6. Subs (not used): Msuangu, Bunney, Hollins, McCormack.

MAN OF THE MATCH Aaron Morley – big impression for a teenager