Leeds United 2 Hartlepool United 0

HARTLEPOOL UNITED'S hopes of climbing to the pinnacle of League One disappeared into the vibrant Elland Road air this afternoon.

Despite having the opportunities to have claimed a point, at least, from undefeated Leeds United, Pools were left to rue two weakly conceded goals in either half which led to their downfall.

The first - in front of a crowd of over 26,000 - arrived after 18 minutes courtesy of a former Darlington striker.

Leeds full-back Frazer Richardson was afforded too much time and space down Robbie Elliott's left to deliver a teasing centre for Tresor Kandol to head the home team in front.

And, despite plenty of attempts on the goal of Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren, Dennis Wise's men added the crucial second less than four minutes after the break.

James Brown's sloppy pass towards his own half-way line, gifted winger Seb Carole with the chance to go on the break.

Carole's quick thinking freed Jermaine Beckford and the young striker applied the coolest of chips over the on-rushing Pools keeper, Jan Budtz.

Had a fine first half header from Richard Barker's been allowed then the outcome could quite easily have been different.

The Hartlepool striker climbed highest in the area to crash a header from Robbie Elliott off the underside of the Leeds bar. To many it looked as if the ball had dropped down over the line, but the linesman ruled not.

Brown, Barker, Andy Monkhouse and Ian Moore all had very good chances to claw Pools back into things.

But Leeds - who have now eradicated the 15-point penalty dished out to them for falling into administration - had left the visitors with too much to do and the three match winning streak of Danny Wilson's men is at an end.

LEEDS UNITED (4-4-2): Ankergren; Richardson, Marques, Heath, Clapham; Prutton, Howson (Huntington 90), Hughes, Carole (Westlake 83); Kandol, Beckford. Subs: Bayly, Parker, Ameobi.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2): Budtz; McCunnie, Nelson, Antwi, Elliott (Gibb 67); Brown, Liddle, Humphreys, Monkhouse; Barker, Moore (Porter 74). Subs: Clark, Foley, Lee-Barrett.