Ex-Hartlepool United boss John Askey reacts to defeat for his Truro City squad

Former Hartlepool United manager John Askey - who now leads National League strugglers Truro City - has been reflecting on a pointless return to the North East.

Hartlepool made it seven games unbeaten in the Enterprise National League with a 3-1 victory over rock-bottom Truro. Hartlepool hit the front midway through the first period when Adam Campbell lined one up from range and powered an effort past Dan Lavercombe, who could only push the ball into the net.

Truro started the second half brightly and got their rewards when Cole Deeming teed up Aiden Marsh to score his second goal for the club. The hosts retook the lead with 16 minutes to go as Jamie Miley picked the ball up on the edge of the area and rifled an effort into the roof of the net before Alex Reid sealed the victory late on with a third.

“I thought it was an improvement,” Askey said. “We got back to 1-1 and in the second half we were the better team. “But we have shot ourselves in the foot and that is so frustrating because we have numerous chances to clear the ball, but then allow someone too much time on the edge of the box to pick their spot.

“It has happened time and time again, but it is difficult to know what to say to the players because they are giving absolutely everything. “I feel for them because we seem so close, but yet so far, and that was demonstrated today by a marked improvement on the last few performances.

“The conditions made the game a little bit more exciting and there were chances at both ends. We haven't been able to capitalise as we got the ball in some good areas, especially in the second half.

“It was good to see Aiden get his first goal for us for a while and Tom Harrison came back in today and was excellent. He has been out for a long time and made a real difference. “If we can keep believing and working, then hopefully things can turn for us.”

What did Hartlepool United interim boss Nicky Featherstone say?

"Today's all about the result," the interim boss told The Red Radio. "I thought the first half was pretty good in terms of performance, but then I thought there was a real drop-off for a 15, 20 minute period. "They scored, we looked a bit unsettled and we struggled a bit with that setback.

"The subs, I thought, came on and changed the game again back in our favour. "The performance wasn't everything today because of the conditions but the biggest thing for me was finding a way to win the game, and we have done in the end.

"If you look at last week (against Eastleigh), that was a more complete performance than this week. "I don't think the conditions helped at all, but we found a way to win and that's what good teams do."

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