Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor questioning fitness and mentality following late 1-1 draw at Dover Athletic

Having led for the majority of the game, Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor admitted the 1-1 draw at Dover Athletic felt like a defeat.
Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Pools took the lead through a Kevin Lokko own goal just after the 20-minute mark as they looked to pick up consecutive National League victories for the first time under Challinor.

And just when it looked as though Pools would hold out for a big three points, substitute Nassim L’Ghoul pounced in stoppage time to snatch a point for the hosts.

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“It’s one of those, a draw away is never a bad point but it’s always the case that we’re disappointed with how it has came about,” Challinor admitted.

“A point does no team any favours really. If we had been absolutely horrific and scraped a point then a much as I’d be disappointed, it would feel like a point gained.

“At the moment, because of how we’ve done in the game and the manner of the equaliser and how late it came, it feels like a loss.

“There are positives but ultimately we should be coming away from here with three points and we’re not.

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“I thought the first half performance was positive, we had spoke about playing forward and running forward and we got into some great positions and scored a good goal.

“For the first 40-minutes, I thought we were outstanding but in the second half the players didn’t show that intent again and I don’t know if it’s a fitness thing or a mentality thing.”