’Pool penalty is such a sickener

DUEL . . . Athletic skipper Reuben Hazell is given no peace by Ritchie Humphreys.

ATHLETIC conceded four goals as a trip north to Hartlepool yet again resulted in defeat.

Dale Stephens gave the visitors the advantage in the first half, but a penalty from Neil Austin, conceded as a result of a Jean-Yves Mvoto handball, was followed by a strike from Peter Hartley shortly before the break.

Ritchie Humphreys and Antony Sweeney added second-half goals as Athletic's defence crumbled, before Mvoto added a late header to leave Athletic without an away win in Hartlepool since 1970.

"We started the game ever so well, but the penalty decision changed the game completely," said manager Paul Dickov.

"To start off with, I don't know why he gave the free-kick (in the build-up) and then Jean-Yves has got his hands by his side when the ball bounced up and hit his hand.

"I am not going to make excuses.

“Hartlepool were the better team in the end and I am disappointed with some of the decision-making."