HARTLEPOOL United suffered a fourth successive home defeat – and their fifth loss from six – as they were comfortably beaten by Charlton Athletic.

 

Bradley Wright-Phillips was the difference in the first half, with two predatory strikes, but Pools offered little at the other end.

Pools restored Adam Boyd and Colin Nish to the starting line-up, but it was a striker at the opposite end of the pitch who made the difference in the first-half.

Bradley Wright-Phillips, the division's top scorer netted on nine minutes. After Pools lost possession in midfield, the ball was sprayed wide left to Rhoys Wiggins whose cross was neatly turned in from 14 yards.

Pools went closest to scoring ten minutes later, when from Evan Horwood's low cross cut back to the edge of the area, Adam Boyd's clipped effort was kept out of the top corner by Ben Hamer.

But Wright-Phillips struck again on 38 minutes, neatly turning in a Johnnie Jackson cross from six yards after being picked out.

Pools started the half brighter and Andy Monkhouse fired wide from 25 yards shortly, but Chris Powell's side were again on target.

A free-kick was put into the six-yard box by Jackson and Danny Hollands was unmarked to head in from close range.

And Pools' fourth successive home defeat was completed on 86 minutes when substitute Scott Wagstaff clinically netted a Andy Hughes pass.