Moore at a loss to explain victory
TWO weeks ago, Hartlepool United headed home from the West Country wondering how they had lost at Exeter.
This time they returned to the north east equally bewildered – but this time after victory.
An insipid game at Yeovil ended in an away win thanks to a late tap-in from substitute Brad Walker.
And boss Ronnie Moore admitted:“That’s probably as bad as a team performance I think this season – yet we win. I said last week it would be nice to come off one day playing poor and winning.
“The passing wasn’t there, we lacked drive and a draw was probably the fair result, but we will take the win no doubt about it.’’
The first incident saw Pools take the lead when Jake Carroll’s free-kick from the right found its way into the net. Carroll felt it was his, striker Scott Fenwick claimed it, so too did defender Andrew Boyce.
The lead lasted only five minutes as Ryan Bird, who spent a month on loan at Pools last season, turned in from close range.
Matty Dolan, another former Pools player in the Glovers’ ranks, went close with a low teasing freekick which goalkeeper Adam Bartlett pushed away. Then Jake Howells, on loan from Luton, turned a close-range vollet into the side netting.
Defender Scott Harrison, at the other end, headed over a Michael Woods corner, but Pools won it thanks to two substitutes combining.
Nicky Featherstone picked out Kudos Oyenuga on the left of the penalty area and his shot screwed across goal but into the path of fellow replacement Walker to net his first of the season.
It was Pools’ first win since August 18 – a run of five league games.
Moore added:“We drew last week which ended the losing streak. Now we have two home games to come and it’s pleasing to grind out a result without playing well.
“I think we could be sat here with 18 points, I really do, because we should have taken something from games we didn’t.
“Then here when we aren’t at it we come away with three points. Paul Sturrock will probably be sat there wondering how he lost it, but I’ve felt the same this season.’’
Sturrock admitted:“It’s been a real kick in the teeth to lose this one like that to a late goal.
“I’m looking forward to a few more players coming back from injury that will give me an edge and competition for places.
“Here it wasn’t what we deserved – nothing. There’s been lots of times I’ve come into speak after the games when we deserved nothing – but this wasn’t one of them.’’