"We're disappointed with the way that we started, but perhaps that's because of the position we are in the table and there was also the situation with Darren.
"But given our league spot we can't afford to do that, we have to knuckle down and get on with things.
"The last 40 minutes was a lot closer to the way I want us to be playing, give us a couple of weeks and we will be a much better team."
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson said of the game
"We had the chances in the first half and could have been two or three up, but credit to them it was backs against the wall and the wind in the second period," said Wilson.
"Our passing game deserted us and we've got to be better than that but I think Richie Barker took his goal brilliantly for his first for us."