Pools boss left disappointed as team fail to seize chances

HARTLEPOOL UTD 0 CRAWLEY TOWN 2 HARTLEPOOL United manager John Askey bemoaned failings at both ends of the pitch as his side were pushed towards relegation with a home defeat against fellow strugglers Crawley Town.

Just three points separated the two sides ahead of kick-off at the Suit Direct Stadium, with Askey’s men knowing a win in front of their own supporters would seriously boost their hopes of remaining in the Football League.

But the Pools faithful were left disappointed by what was an underwhelming display from their side that has now taken them to the brink of dropping back into the National League.

The visitors always looked the more likely of the two sides to edge in front after they enjoyed the better of the opening half hour and their energy and enthusiasm was rewarded five minutes before half-time.

A quick break caused major issues for the Pools defence and led to Dominic Telford heading home after Jakub Stolarczyk had saved an initial effort.

With home chances few and farbetween, the visitors continued to enjoy the more positive moments and they duly doubled their lead and took a firm step towards safety midway through the second-half.

Once again, Telford was the chief tormentor as his neat first-touch brought a long clearance from keeper Corey Addal under control before he beat Stolarcyzk for the section time in the game.

Pools could not muster a comeback and rarely threatened to do so. They must now take maximum points from a home game with Barrow and final day trip to Stockport and hope relegation rivals Harrogate Town and Crawley emerge empty handed from their final games of the season.

A visibly disappointed Askey hit out at his side for a poor display and was left to rue a dismal defensive display that threatened their status as a Football League club.

Speaking after the game, he said: “It’s probably the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in football. That’s the only way I can sum it up.

“I don’t think we ever really got going. The least we were expecting was people to run through brick walls for us and have a real go but we never did that.

“There were a couple of times where the game could have changed and we had opportunities to score but the goals we conceded were woeful.”