I agree, we should have wrapped that up (misses by Guthrie and Lowe cost us dear, along with stereotypical Alex defending), but I have to praise Hartlepool. At 3-1 down they came back, looked well-drilled and played a style of football that I thought matched the better skills of the Alex.
I'm not at all disheartened. This is Div 2, we are a Div 2 side (and have been for the last 3 seasons), and the opposition came back at us.
Much better attitude from the Alex and Ryan Lowe is the captain we've been missing for a while. He kept talking, kept encouraging and advising, and it all gives me hope for some entertainment to come.