Pools boss Neale Cooper lamented another day of frustration as a 2-1 loss at Crewe extended their winless run to seven games.
It started brightly for the hosts as Evan Horwood, on only a minute earlier for the injured Andy Monkhouse, put them ahead after nine minutes.
When Mathias Pogba blasted a 41st-minute penalty over the bar, it looked like it would be Pools' day, but Chuks Aneke levelled on the stroke of half-time and Mark Ellis netted the winner 20 minutes from time.
Cooper said: "It's another frustrating day and I really feel for the players today. The last two games have been the best we have played for a long time.
"We have created numerous chances which is a positive but we are devastated in the changing room to have lost after playing like that.
"We had a bit of luck with them missing the penalty but it was justice as never in my life would I have given a penalty for that. When you are down things just tend to kick you in the teeth. We have played well and lost but I'd rather be bad and win. If we keep playing and creating chances like we have then it is only a matter of time until we start winning."
