IT wasn't quite supposed to be like this at Victoria Park for Hartlepool United. In losing to Preston North End last night, Pools have now lost seven successive games on home turf.

For the visitors it was a first victory in 14 games. For their manager Phil Brown, he returned to the place where he started his playing career as his former club secured a new, unwanted club record.

It's the sort of landmark Brown and Co in were more than capable of achieving in blue and white shirts in the early 1980s when he was starting out, not the sort of stain the current Pools squad should be making.

And once again it left Mick Wadsworth scratching his head in a season of parallel fortunes. Away from home, Pools don't lose; at home they don't even score.

Since this miserable run began - their last home win came in September against Bury - they have only a penalty to show. It's one strike in 644 minutes of football.

"It's a desperate result at home and thankfully our away form has kept us in a reasonable situation,'' said Mick Wadsworth.

"We created chances, but conceded a poor goal and we never seem to get our necks in front.

"We may have had a penalty before the goal and then the ball goes in at the other end. Generally we did well and caused problems - I cannot fault the players, but we will get better.

"Being in his position a year ago and we would have been happy, but with seven defeats in a row it's a concern.''

He added: "Away from home we have done well and played counter attack football but the players have to have confidence to play. We have a good bunch, but not a lot of options and we can't change things around.

"We need the supporters to stay with us and they have every right to be frustrated with things. Preston have been on a bad run, but have players on big, big money - Championship money.''

It was one of their biggest earners who scored the only goal. Neil Mellor spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and plundered a hat-trick at Victoria Park for the Owls.

Last night when a loose ball fell ahead of him, he confidently struck a first-time shot across Scott Flinders into the net.

It was his first goal since scoring in Preston's last victory - on September 27.

Before that and Pools should have had a penalty on 16 minutes. Peter Hartley's header across goal hit the outstretched arm of centre-half Jamie McCombe. It was on the blind side of referee Jock Waugh and his assistant fudged the decision from the half-way line.

Nobby Solano had an instant attempt to draw level, although his 25-yard free-kick was wastefully struck into the defensive wall.

He had Pool's next chance as well. On 31 minutes, Andy Monkhouse and James Poole carved open a chance on the left, the former crossed deep for Solano, but his shot was smothered.

For a team with such a bad run of form, Pool weren't affected by it and continued to press.

Antony Sweeney, back in his preferred central spot, charged forward and keeper Thorsten Stuckmann saved. Then he stopped a James Poole effort before diving to keep out a Solano free-kick all in the space of three minutes.

But Preston should have doubled their lead on 53 minutes, Jamie Proctor picking out Flinders when he should have picked out Mellor standing free.

And, as the game turned scrappy, it wasn't Pool pressing.

But Poole sparked some welcome life into his side, charging 70 yards upfield in possession after collecting Neil Austin's throw and his low shot was saved by Stuckmann.

Poole, who raised Pools' hopes and spirits, then cracked a free-kick from 25 yards wide.

But the spell didn't last long enough or cause enough problems, who were happy to head and block and tackle when Pools got within range.

Pools don't have a game this weekend. They will be satisfied they travel for their next one, at Brentford on December 10.