Pools came back down to earth with a bump at Sincil Bank this evening as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Lincoln City.
Danny Wilson's men failed to take full advantage of some first-half chances and were then left with work to do as the hosts grabbed a goal either side of half time.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession for the opening forty-five minutes, Pools went in behind at the break after Jamie Forrester bagged the opener just before the interval.
Danny Wilson's men played some decent football but were up against a powerful attacking force in Lincoln City forcing them to work harder at the back.
Pools had numerous chances to open the scoring, with most opportunities falling to the determined Joel Porter. Jon Daly did well to control the ball before playing it out right for Ali Gibb.
The right winger threaded a great ball through for Porter, who twisted his way inside the area and into a great shooting position - but with the sizeable Pools travelling army on their feet, the Aussie striker mis-kicked and saw his effort balloon wide of target.
When an inswinging corner from John Brackstone was flicked on towards goal by Ben Clarke, Porter looked set to get his goal. The ball arrived right to he Aussie striker just one yard out from goal but his touch saw it rise high over the bar.
Jon Daly also had efforts to open the scoring for Pools; the big striker received a good pass from Porter into the centre of the area but his touch was too weak and the keeper collected comfortably. The big striker also nodded a header towards the bottom left corner from a Brackstone free kick but once again Marriott came out on top.
And while Wilson's men failed to make the most of their chances in the opening half, The Imps took full advantage just before the forty-minute mark to make it 1-0.
There had been early warnings from the home side, with Forrester and Mark Stallard combining well on the attack and firing a few hopeful shots towards Dimi's goal - but the big keeper stood firm.
That was until Stallard played a good ball over the top for his striking partner and Forrester ran through to the right side of the area before firing a low drive across the face of the goal which left Dimi with little chance as it just curled inside of the far post.
The Imps were then buoyed by the goal and just edged the remaining period of the half and Pools went in at the break with some work to do.
The opening period of the first half was quite scrappy, though it was the home side who looked most likely to score and, when Forrester clashed with Dimi when through on a one-on-one, the home fans were already celebrating the penalty kick. But after consulting with his assistant, the referee awarded the kick in Pools' favour.
But the reprieve didn't last long; a good move down the right from Nicky Eaden saw the ball whipped right into the area where Jeff Hughes was waiting at the far post fire a left-footed volley the ball right back across goal and into the bottom right hand corner of the net - leaving Wilson's men with half an hour to find their way back into the game.
It did take Pools a while to get back into the game as they struggled to really create any clear-cut chances and were left fighting a midfield battle with the hosts.
But with fifteen minutes left on the clock they sparked back into life; a good move forward by sub David Foley saw the ball played out to Matty Robson and the winger did well to find himself space in the area but he saw his effort blocked well by Marriott. Gary Liddle arrived to smash the rebound back towards goal but it rebounded out for a corner kick.
And when Brackstone's left-wing corner was curled in, Daly tried his luck from close range but once again the keeper collected as Pools were left to search for a lifeline.
But it wasn't to be this evening for Danny Wilson's men - whether it be the so-called curse of the Manager of the Month award or just a bad day at the office - and Pools will now have a week to pick themselves right back up and get ready for the visit of Stockport County to The Vic next Saturday.
Att: 5332 (672 Pools)
Lincoln City: Marriott, Eaden, Moses, Beevers, Mayo, Amoo, Freckington, Kerr, Hughes, Stallard, Forrester
Subs Not Used: Gritton, Cryan, Ryan, Mettam, Rayner
Pools: Konstantopoulos, D Williams (Barron 35), Nelson, Clark, Brackstone, Gibb, Boland (Bullock 67), Liddle, Robson, Daly, Porter (Foley 67)
Subs Not Used: Provett, E Williams
