Matthew Bates reveals why he's not worried for his Hartlepool players after blow

A last-minute equaliser at Cressing Road denied Pools a deserved first three points in the fifth tier.

But manager Bates believes that he has the level of quality and character in the Pools squad to put this behind them.

“We have the right characters,” he said.

“Every single one of the players is gutted in the dressing room and that’s the right reaction.

“We came off at half-time having put in a tremendous performance but the players were not happy with it.

“Their manager had the players sitting out on the pitch at the break we were so dominant, but our lads were having a go at each other because they knew they’d missed chances.”

Rather than being despondent, Bates says this result can actually spur his side on.

He added: “Our time will come. We will put it right. And these lads can use this kind of result as the catalyst to drive them on this season.

“Hopefully the first win comes sooner rather than later. But I am sure when it does come we will be off and running.”