Walsall surrendered their five game unbeaten run after slumping to defeat against a rampant Hartlepool at Victoria Park.

The hosts hadn’t won at home since April, but had no trouble against the Saddlers thanks to Andy Monkhouse’s double and former Wolves trainee Colin Larkin.

But it was the manner of defeat which was the most disappointing, as Walsall lacked the imagination to rescue themselves.

Troy Deeney recovered from an ankle knock to make his 100th appearance but Manny Smith was again sidelined with a knee injury, skipper Mark Hughes the replacement.

After an inauspicious start Adam Boyd sliced wide, before Denis Behan smashed a free-kick straight at goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin.

The Saddlers had yet to threaten and James Brown went close when his 25-yard drive just cleared the crossbar, as the hosts edged the contest.

But there was little to suggest a goal was imminent, until an excellent passing move from Pool carved the Saddlers apart for the opener on 25 minutes.

Ritchie Humphreys finally threaded Monkhouse through, who had got goalside of the ball-watching Darryl Westlake, to slide past Gilmartin.

There was little attacking impetus from the Saddlers, as they struggled put the hosts under any pressure.

Darren Byfield and Deeney were anonymous, but Chris Hutchings’ side almost equalised from nothing five minutes before the break.

Matt Richards’ corner found Dwayne Mattis and his glancing header produced a fantastic reaction stop from goalkeeper Scott Flinders.

It brought an end to a meek half from the visitors, who almost fell further behind two minutes after the break but Boyd mis-kicked in front of goal.

The home side didn’t have to wait long for a second, which came on 50 minutes, as Monkhouse smashed home a loose ball after the Saddlers failed to clear Boyd’s header.

Then Rhys Weston, who replaced Clayton McDonald in the aftermath of the second goal, planted a header just wide as the visitors tried to respond.

But it was a mere cursory effort, as Hartlepool continued to dictate and added a third after 75 minutes.

Brown fed Larkin, who beat the offside trap and delightfully chipped Gilmartin.