Rochdale slip from the summit after home defeat to Hartlepool

Rochdale surrendered top spot in the Enterprise National League after crashing to a 2-1 home defeat to Hartlepool.

Goals from Maxim Kouogou and Luke Charman inside the first half-hour wrecked the home side’s run of five wins in a row and secured the points for the visitors.

Rochdale improved after the interval and Ian Henderson gave them hope of salvaging a point when he converted a low cross from Tobi Adebayo-Rowling in the 79th minute.

But despite piling pressure on Hartlepool goal, Ryan East and Ryan Galvin both spurned late chances and the hosts held on for their first win in four games.