Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor highlights individual mistakes from Trophy defeat on penalties at Halifax Town

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor was disappointed to be on the wrong side of an FA Trophy tie that ‘had everything’ at Halifax Town.
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The thrilling third round tie ended 3-3 at The Shay with Pools coming from 2-0 down against The Shaymen, who finished the game with 10-men after Jeff King was sent off for handball.

Despite Pools scoring two penalties in normal time, the hosts would be the ones to progress following a 4-2 shoot out victory.

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Once again, a poor start and individual errors proved costly for Challinor’s side as the Pools boss made eight changes from the 3-0 defeat at Woking last Saturday.

Hartlepool manager, Dave Challinor  (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Hartlepool manager, Dave Challinor  (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Hartlepool manager, Dave Challinor (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

“The game had everything, three penalties, a sending off and then it’s decided on penalties,” he said.

“But fundamentally, we’ve lost the game and we need to learn from it and move on quickly.

“Individual mistakes are going to happen and [Lewis] Cass has made two but he’s been brilliant for us this season. He came to speak with me during the week because he didn’t feel like he had a good game [at Woking] which I thought he was being a bit harsh on himself because he’s set his standards high.

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“He’s got done twice early on one v one and it’s the ultimate punishment. We were nowhere near in the first 20-minutes and maybe that was down to personnel a little bit but that’s down to me.

"We struggle to get the messages across and struggled to adapt in and out of possession early on but I’ll hold my hands up for that.”

“Once we did, we got on the front foot and have the momentum to get back into it. For me after the equaliser and sending off, we need to go and win the game but we shot ourselves in the foot and it’s another individual error this time from Tyler.

“Then we get back in it again to take it to penalties which then becomes anyone’s to win.”

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Pools were dealt an injury blow as Cass left the field late on with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to feature in Tuesday night’s National League fixture against Stockport County.

Captain Ryan Donaldson is also a doubt after taking a knock to his knee.

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