Hartlepool United must stop gifting teams starts

The 20-year-old was the stand-out performer for Pools after being switched from midfield to defence in the 14th minute after the experienced Matthew Bates hobbled off with a hamstring problem.

Walker was paired with Scott Harrison at centre-back and produced a great display.

But he said the team can’t go on gifting their opponents goals.

Pools were left with a mountain to climb after Danny Hylton and Luke Gambin scored with their left boots in the opening 13 minutes.After that, Pools found their feet and played some good, positive football, but Walker insists they need to cut out the mistakes.

“If you take the first 15 minutes out, there was only one team in it,” said the midfielder.

“We played the best football and dominated without being able to score.

“We then conceded late on but that’s the luck we seem to have at the minute.

“But we need to learn and learn quickly because it’s not good enough at the moment.

“The first 15 minutes has killed the game.”

“I don’t know wht it is with us and away games at the moment, but the spirit is there to put things right.”

Walker emerged with credit from the game after standin

“I’ve played there in training once,” he said. “I used to play striker, but never in defence.

“I thought me and Scottyand the defence, bar the first 15 minutes pplayed well.”