Mark Kitching pleased with reaction to Harrogate Town disappointment and praises support during 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge

The winner eventually came through Kitching himself as he ran onto Tyler Hamilton’s through ball to slot in his first of the season in what was the only goal of the game.

It was an ideal response to their FA Trophy disappointment at Harrogate Town the week prior.

“The gaffer talked about how disappointing the Harrogate game was and that good teams are defined by how they react to set-backs and disappointments which I thought we did very well,” Kitching admitted.

“We were always confident of winning and you always thought they could slip up with the way they were playing because it only takes one person to slip up and then we’re in.

“I knew at one point we’d get a good chance and thankfully we took it.”

Pools had been frustrated by a stubborn Daggers side but the majority of the 3,259 crowd at Victoria Park continued to spur the side on which Kitching felt made a big difference.

“The fans were brilliant and stuck with us and knew we had to be patient against a team who were playing for a 0-0,” he added.

“We were good and kept the ball well and passed with a purpose. When we got it out wide, we created good chances and thankfully one finally fell to me and I was able to put it away.”