AGAIN a hopeful step forward led to two steps backward for Hartlepool United – and Mick Wadsworth is at a loss.
Following an encouraging win at Scunthorpe, Pool went into the game with Yeovil at Victoria Park confident of the victory which would end their home malaise.
After all, the visitors had not won away from home this season.
However, Pool reverted to type, went into the shells like they have before at home this season, and contrived to lose a sixth successive game in front of their own fans.
When the club instigated a £100 season ticket offer that led to almost 6,000 being sold, runs and problems like this were the last thing expected.
Instead, even at an average of little over £4 a game, it is not proving good value for the faithful.
Pool did twice hit the frame of the goal, Andy Monkhouse and Nathan Luscombe firing against the woodwork.
However, after going a goal down on 25 minutes, they lacked the craft and the invention needed to get back into the game.
Wadsworth said: “I cannot fault their endeavour and effort, there have been other times when I could fault.
“We have a huge problem we have to solve, we have to change things.
“There are only two or three things you can change in the game – and I am part of that. We have to change, how and why? We think about it in preparation for Tuesday.
“We have to rebuild confidence and strength of character to do the simple things well.
“Having words there afterwards, the most sensible reaction from any player was that it is not about pretty football or great goals, it is about belief and character.” The game lacked spark from the off and it was the 21st minute before a chance was created, Monkhouse arcing a volley against the top of the bar from the edge of the area.
That they had to wait until Luscombe’s injury-time effort to go close again says it all.
In between, the key goal came when Bondz N’Gala shrugged off Antony Sweeney and sent a free header past Scott Flinders.
Pool showed their lack of confidence as the visitors created more clear opening before the interval to the extent they should have made the game safe.
That they did not should have been enough for Pool to find a way back, but hopeful half-chances and intermediate periods of pressure are not enough.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Austin, Wright, Hartley, Horwood; Solano (Luscombe 62), Murray (Humphreys 76), Liddle, Sweeney, Monkhouse, Poole (Boyd 46). Subs (not used): Rafferty, Haslam.
YEOVIL TOWN: Gilmartin; Ayling, N’Gala, Huntingdon, Ehmer; Blizzard, Wotton, Clifford (Massey 68), Upson; Agard (Maclean 87), Williams (Obika 78). Subs (not used): Gilbert, Stewart.
Goal: N’Gala (25).
Referee: David Coote (Newark). Attendance: 4,604
