Wrexham's National League title ambitions took another blow as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Hartlepool.
After starting strongly, the Dragons gave away a penalty on 24 minutes when Shaun Pearson brought down Josh Hawkes.
Despite Wrexham goalkeeper Rob Lainton getting more than a strong hand to the ball, Hawkes brushed himself off to score his fourth goal in four games.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but Pools held firm to climb to 12th in the table, while Wrexham stay third.
Wrexham remain a point behind leaders Leyton Orient after their third defeat in four games.
But FA Trophy finalists Orient now have three games in hand over the Dragons.
Manager Bryan Hughes told BBC Sport Wales:
"This is the most annoyed I have been as Wrexham manager. It hurts more than losing to Barrow. We made Hartlepool look good and that disappoints me.
"We were second best. That is the harsh reality. The players need to really look at themselves and start standing up.
"We threw it away with 10 games to go last season. The quicker we get that out of the players the better.
"We need to regroup and refocus. We had an opportunity and we have not taken it."
