Hartlepool United fall back to the bottom of League Two after a devastating defeat to high flying Barrow AFC at Holker Street. 

Pools were left shellshocked after going 3-0 down in less than half an hour to a ruthless Barrow side. 

Goals from Josh Gordon, Ben Whitfield and Billy Walters left Keith Curle’s side in a state of shock and three goals down after just 21 minutes.

Christopher Missilou scored on his Pools debut with just over 10 minutes left. However, this wasn’t enough to save his side from falling back down to the foot of the Football League. 

So, here are the player ratings from Pools defeat on Saturday…

Ben Killip: 3

Ben Killip was at fault for the first goal after a mistaken pass to Gordon was capitalised by the forward and put Barrow a goal up after five minutes. Killip was then left helpless for the other two goals. Killip wasn’t tested much after then, with the 26-year-old by his standards not at his usual self especially compared to last week’s FA Cup game at home to Solihull Moors. 

Reghan Tumilty: 4

Reghan Tumilty scored in last weekend’s FA Cup match against Solihull Moors. However, Saturday was a challenging afternoon for the fullback having been rearranged various times around the backline. Tumilty was not allowed to come back on the pitch early in the first half which left a wide-open Pools defence and a second goal from Barrow. 

Euan Murray: 4

Euan Murray was part of a static Pools defence that conceded three goals in just under 30 minutes. Murray looked slow and was sloppy in possession often gifting Barrow the ball in dangerous areas. The 28-year-old, like many others, improved in the second half but the damage was already done by that point. 

David Ferguson: 4

David Ferguson looked uncomfortable for the short spell he was on the pitch before being forced off the pitch after just 20 minutes through injury. Ferguson was out of his preferred position in left-back and played in a centre-back pairing with Murray before limping off the pitch shortly after the third goal went in.

Brody Paterson:  4

Brody Paterson had to cover for Tumilty who was off the pitch due to injury. Paterson was beaten far too easily by Whitfield for the second goal. This theme continued with throughout the game he stood of his marker far too much. However, when shuffled to right-back he done well going forward and causing Barrow defenders problems.

Nicky Featherstone: 4

A quiet afternoon for Nicky Featherstone as Barrow swept under Pools’ midfield that seemed almost non-existent in the first half. A frantic midfield meant Featherstone failed to get on the ball enough to steady an already shaken Pools side. The club captain was soon substituted at half-time for Callum Cooke. 

Christopher Missilou: 7

Missilou made his Pools debut on Saturday against Barrow after being unveiled to the fans a couple hours before kick-off. The 30-year-old scored his first goal and Pools’ only goal of the game in what was an extremely disappointing result for Curle’s side. 

Mohamed Sylla: 6

Like Featherstone, Mohamed Sylla was pretty much non-existent in the first half. However, was arguably Pools’ best midfielder in the second half on Saturday. Once again, Mohamed Sylla put in a good shift in the centre of a midfield three, putting in many excellent challenges, had a decent effort at goal and was one of the many that improved in the second half. 

Jake Hastie: 5

Jake Hastie’s shot was Pools’ best chance of the first half where he tested Barrow keeper Paul Farman from just outside the box. Provided a steady performance throughout and was possibly the only player who put in a decent shift in that first-half. Linked up well going forward with Joe Grey and could be something for the winger to build on.

Jack Hamilton: 4

Another player who was non-existent in the first half, was rarely involved in any of the attacks Pools had and could have easily gone off himself at the interval. However, improved slightly in the second half being more competitive in the air and causing some problems in and around the Barrow penalty area with driving runs. 

Theo Robinson: 3

Looked sluggish and completely of the marks going forward for Pools on Saturday. Theo Robinson was beaten in the very few attacks Hartlepool had in the first half. Robinson was switched for 19-year-old Grey at half time.

Joe Grey: 6

Joe Grey was brought on as a half-time substitution for Robinson. Grey brought the flair Pools were lacking in the second half, linking up well with Clarke Odour well on the left hand-side but unfortunately the damage was already done in the first half. 

Callum Cooke: 5

Cooke was brought on at half-time after replacing club captain Featherstone. The attacking midfielder dragged an effort just wide of the right-hand post and helped instigate a bit of change in the second half. 

Clarke Odour: 6

Clarke Odour was brought on for injured Ferguson and initially struggled like many others did in the first half as Barrow pilled more and more pressure on Pools. However, the versatile fullback was much better in the second half proving to be good both defensively with a couple of blocks and going forward where he linked up well with Grey.

Wes McDonald: 6

Like Grey, Wes McDonald provided Pools with the attacking flair that they lacked in the first half. Arguably, McDonald should’ve been brought on earlier then he should’ve having only been brought on with less than 10 minutes left but caused problems for Barrow defenders instantly. However, by this point the was already done.