POOL's relegation worries deepened as they lost 4-1 at Rothwell last Saturday.

This was a massive match for Pool in their battle against relegation, so their poor first 20 minutes may have been due to nerves as they were unable to hold the ball.

They had a let off within five minutes, as a Rothwell striker missed a sitter.

This failed to galvanise Pool, going behind soon after as Rothwell beat the off-side trap to break through on goal, a confident finish giving keeper Andy Doey no chance.

There was more than a little misfortune with the second goal, as Pool's captain Jordan Wagstaff badly aggravated a knee injury effectively taking him out of the match.

Meanwhile, Pool had broken up the right and bared down on goal. They looked certain to level the scores, but the final pass was blocked, the resulting clearance leaving the depleted Pool defence stranded, and another one-on-one with the keeper saw Rothwell double their score.

This did spur Pool into action, with Jamie Algar replacing Wagstaff and immediately making a difference with his strong running up front helping to put pressure on the Rothwell goal, which continued through the second half as Pool was often on top but not did create clear cut chances.

In the last five minutes, Pool threw caution to the wind desperately trying to salvage something from the match, but the inevitable gaps at the back allowed Rothwell in for two more goals.

Jack Farrimond then scored a late consolation goal for Pool.

Rothwell were one of the West Yorkshire League Division One teams within Pool's reach, however a change of management and influx of new players there had shown in this match, the home team looking nothing like relegation candidates.

Pool meanwhile have it all to do, realistically needing to win their final three matches, then looking for others to falter.

They have a break from the league this Saturday, as they welcoming Route One Rovers to their Arthington Lane ground for the Wharfedale Cup semi-final. Kick-off is 2pm.

In the West Yorkshire League Alliance Division Two, Pool Reserves were beaten 5-0 by Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves.

In a proverbial game of two halves, Pool matched their opposition in the first half, but ran out of steam in the second half and suffered a heavy defeat.