WHEN Hartlepool United next meet Charlton, there's every chance the opposition will be lifting the League One title at The Valley on May 5.

At the same time it's down to Pools whether they will be heading straight off to Benidorm to round off their season or plotting for the play-offs.

Last week, Mick Wadsworth laid down the gauntlet to his players - asking if an end of campaign trip to the Costas is the height of their ambition.

On this display, and recent form, there's only one destination Pools are heading for, and it won't be the play-offs.

Perhaps it's a bit harsh to make a judgement against the best team in the division, who eased to a third successive win in seven days to stay three points ahead at the top.

But Pools, who went nine unbeaten at the start of the season, have now lost five from the last six games and have suffered four successive defeats at Victoria Park.

The confidence generated during their start has gone and Charlton made the most of it.

Wadsworth has long reiterated the fact that Pools need to perform at their optimum, both individually and collectively, to win games. Against the better teams it's essential.

Instead he was left bemoaning that too many of his players, and key performers at that, are off key.

"I really truly, honestly believe they haven't troubled us other than scored four damn goals,'' said the coach.

"Now that sounds ridiculous and I understand people think that. We had most of the ball, 70 per cent possession but when you are chasing they can sit deeper and play on the break with their pace.

"We just wanted to go out in the second-half to put a show on, to show we are having a right good go.

"Then we make a mistake in front of the dug-outs and here we go again.

"We give a set-play away, one guy doesn't do his job and it's in the back of the net. It's really frustrating isn't it?

"We will get back and I've said if you're job is to stop the forward scoring, ask yourself why you aren't doing it; if your job is to stop the wide player crossing too often, ask yourself why you aren't doing it; if your job is to get past the guy and put crosses in, ask yourself why you aren't doing it; if it's your job to win headers and tackles in midfield, ask yourself why you aren't doing it, etc etc - and the last question? Ask yourself if you care enough?

"Do we care enough? I genuinely think they do and we have to find a way to get back to what we were doing.

"One guy said at the end ‘you have given them all a good chance.' I won't say what he said next!

"I shan't pull wool over anyone's eyes, it's hard work and it starts tomorrow.''

Pools have shown what they can do.

They might not have been overly spectacular at times during the start to the season, but they were hugely effective. And when they were under the cosh there was a determination to defend as a unit.

The wins at Carlisle and Bournemouth proved a case in point, even the victory at Chesterfield nine days ago to an extent, yet now they have conceded 15 goals in five games.

"At the moment we cave in to concede silly goals,'' added Wadsworth. "Even in winning at Chesterfield we conceded two stupid goals.

"We have six or seven players at least performing below their optimum level and in a club like ours we cannot do that. We are not good enough to carry and we have to get back to form as individuals.''

In the first-half, Wright-Phillips was the difference. Two chances in front of goal, two neat finishes.

Pools had plenty of possession, with Andy Monkhouse and Evan Horwood restored in tandem down the left side seeing plenty of the ball, but options in the area were limited.

Adam Boyd had a shot at goal, Pools' only one of note, but keeper Ben Hamer's save kept it out.

By then they were two-down. And, while a goal before the break may have changed some of the impetus, the slack defending in the lead up to and from a free-kick turned in by Danny Hollands showed the malaise which has crept into Pools' game of late.

MATCHFACTS

Goals:

0-1: Wright-Phillips (9, volleyed in 15 yards out after meeting a Hollands cross from the left side)

0-2: Wright-Phillips (36, left unmarked in the area to turn in after being picked out by Wiggins from a flowing move down the left)

0-3: Hollands (56, simple free header from inside the six-yard area when a free-kick was played across the box)

0-4: Wagstaff (86, played a one-two to create the opening and drilled in a low finish)

Bookings: Green (45, foul), Hartley (foul 56), Collins (81, foul). Wagstaff (90, foul)

Referee: Danny Mohareb (Manchester): Routine game with little incident to oversee 7

Attendance: 5,333

Entertainment: 2/5

Pools CAFC

Shots on 1 4

Shots off 11 4

Fouls 9 8

Corners 6 0

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):

5 Flinders: A bit exposed for the goals, as some of the defending in front of him left him open;

4 Austin: Struggled to get close enough to the opposition out wide and the first two goals both came down his flank, the first one particularly

4 Collins: As he and Austin looked around and looked forlorn over the third goal it said it all about the defensive display

5 Hartley: He's had better days in a below par defensive unit which left Wright-Phillips twice unmarked to score

4 Horwood: Lost possession needlessly and conceded free-kick for the third goal. But saw plenty of first half ball as he tried to create;

5 Poole: The odd flash and drive, but didn't have much support from others when trying to go forward

6 MURRAY: Busy, chased, tried to pass the ball to keep possession and again at the hub of Pools' game

4 Liddle: The odd firm tackle and block, but replaced in the second half after being overrun

6 Monkhouse: More balanced performance back in his natural position on the left;

4 Boyd: Had little direct influence on the game, but did have Pools' only effort on target of any note

5 Nish: Came more into the game in the second half as he stepped up his game.

Subs:

Luscombe (for Liddle 56): Third goal seconds before his arrival meant he was always up against it 5

Brown (for Boyd 56): Another 30 minute run out won't do him any harm and looked sharper than on Tuesday for it 5

(not used): Rafferty (gk), Humphreys, Wright.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Hamer 6; Solly 7, Morrison 8, Taylor 7, Wiggins 8, Green 6 (Wagstaff 71), Hughes 7, Hollands 8 (Euell 88), Jackson 7, Wright-Phillips 8, Kermorgant 6 (Hayes 81). Subs (not used): Sullivan (gk), Cort.

MAN OF THE MATCH

BRADLEY Wright-Phillips - two chances, two goals and showed the value of an out and out goalscorer