Under-fire Craig Harrison admits Hartlepool United fans deserve better

Harrison’s men threw away any hopes of getting at least a point out of their trip to Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road on Saturday.

Having fallen behind in a one-sided opening 45, Pools came out looking like a different side in the second half and got themselves back level shortly before the hour mark.

But, as has happened so often this campaign, they shot themselves in the foot, surrendering the advantage within six minutes, before John Still’s Daggers ran riot late on.

After the game Harrison was the target of Pools’ fans rage in the away end.

But the manager, taking it on the chin, understands the punters’ angers and frustrations.

In fact, he was full of praise for the travelling band of Poolies, who made the almost 10-hour round trip to see their side in East London.

“They were great again. They always are,” Harrison said.

“They don’t deserve what we are serving up for them.

“They did not deserve four calamitous goals.

“We created enough chances to win four games never mind one but they have come a long way and we sent them home with nothing to cheer.”

The most frustrating element of the weekend loss for Harrison was the way his side pressed the self destruct button, with points seemingly within their grasp.

“When we got that goal back to level we had to have a 10-15 minute spell where we need to settle the ship,” he continued.

“It’s not about having to go and win the game straight away, you just have to keep doing what you are doing.

“We didn’t. In fact, we ended up losing it in the period after that. We gave two really poor goals away when the game got away from us.

“Eight goals conceded in three games - not one of them has been a good one.”