HARD-working Pool came up a bit short, going down 2-1 to West Yorkshire League Division One leaders Campion at home on Saturday.

After losing 4-0 to Kirk Deighton the previous week, Pool went out from the whistle eager to show what they can do.

A fine move down the left with Ryan Firth put Josh Waite through. He held the ball well, taking on the full-back before cleverly cutting inside and squaring the ball for Billy Drake to side-foot over the line to open the scoring.

In what was an overall sound and hard-working performance from Pool, a rare piece of slack defending allowed Campion a free header to level the scores.

Then shear bad luck saw Pool go behind, as a powerful Campion shot from distance clattered into their centre forward, the ball dropping conveniently at his feet for him to easily finish the job.

Pool were on top for most of the rest of the match, despite Campion always looking dangerous going forward.

The second half, in particular, saw Pool lay siege on the Campion goal, but a combination of poor finishing, good blocks and saves from the visitors' defence and keeper, and lacking that bit of luck in the goal area kept them from scoring the equaliser.

Waite had a powerful low shot saved by the keeper's feet when looking goalbound.

Pool also had a couple of penalty shouts turned down, a late challenge on Jamie Algar was the clearest of these.

Campion posed little threat in the second half apart from one break, resulting in a one-on-one with Andy Doey in the Pool goal, Doey saving well with his legs.

Pool thoroughly deserved something from this match against the league leaders, but it was not to be their day.

This Saturday Pool travel to Rothwell in the league cup first round.

In West Yorkshire League Alliance Division Two, Pool Reserves' difficult start to the season continues, as they lost 4-1 to lowly Kippax Reserves, their consolation goal coming from Ian Smith.