Match reaction: Northampton Town 2 Hartlepool United 1. We need leadership says Moore

Rakish Bingham rounds the keeper to score his goal against Northampton Town. Picture by FRANK REID

An early Marc Richards strike and an OG from Andrew Boyce from Nick Adams’ 21st-minute corner saw Pools trail 2-0 inside the first quarter at Sixfields.

It was the third League Two defeat on the spin and the seventh in total.

“Disappointed does not really sum up how I’m feeling,” said Moore.

“I’ve seen five or six of their home games and I warned our players about how they started.

“I told them to make sure we are compact with two banks of four and we needed people to be physically strong when balls come into our box.

“But we were no-where near it.”

Moore said Pools were lacking leaders.

“We had no strength or leadership in there – no one to stand up to them, that’s what worried me,” he said.

“And yet at 1-0 we had a great chance, Boycey heads over from a corner and we should have been back in it.

“The second goal from a corner – how the hell has that gone in there?

“The keeper says he’s been blocked off in there, but you can’t allow that to happen.

“Man up and stop yourself being blocked off.

“We know where the problems are and it’s about putting it right, getting someone in to lead us and organise things.”

Rakish Bingham rounded keeper Adam Smith to pull one back on 31 minutes later, but Pools never really threatened thereafter.

“I’m pleased for Rakish,” said Moore. “I was hoping the keeper wipes him our and then off he goes at that stage.

“But he took it really well and he was cool in taking it.”