Hartlepool United must find their clinical edge - Paddy McLaughlin

Defeat to Ebbsfleet was unexpected and harsh on Pools, with Corey Whitely’s strike coming between the sides to inflict the first National League defeat of the season on the players.

And McLaughlin has warned Braintree, that they will face an angry Pools tomorrow evening.

“The players are devastated but we must move on,” he said.

“I think performances have been there in the main but we need to be more clinical.

“At the minute those points aren’t coming for us.

“We have a group of winners in there and we are angry and disappointed.

“But we need to stick with it.

“The games come thick and fast and hopefully we can take a bit of anger out on Braintree on Tuesday.”

Despite the loss, summer signing McLaughlin was delighted to finally make his Super 6 Stadium bow.

“It is something I have been looking forward to and it was brilliant, apart from the result,” said McLaughlin.

“It has been frustrating missing the pre-season and not being able to start games but hopefully I can kick on now.

“I have been champing at the bit and I did enjoy it in front of the fans today.

“I don’t feel 100% yet.

“I got half an hour against Middlesbrough then half an hour last week.

“Now I have 90 minutes under the belt I hope I keep improving.”