HARTLEPOOL UNITED chief Mike Newell admitted he feared a taste of deja vu on Saturday, writes Nick Loughlin.

As his team entered injury time with a single goal lead over Southend, he admits thoughts of the previous encounter at Victoria Park were flashing through his head.

In the FA Cup round one replay last November, Newell saw the visitors steal a 2-1 win, netting twice in injury time.

And after Daryll Such reduced the gap to a single goal after Ritchie Humphreys netted twice, Newell admitted: "What happened last time was right in my head at the end. To be fair to them they kept going and I was worried when they put the ball in the box, but we worked hard.

"We were well off the pace out there. We played better against Bury and only got one point so we will take three points if we are not playing as well as we can.

"We aren't trying to kid anyone by claiming we played very well or saying it was a good performance.

"At this stage of the season winning is the important thing. Early in the season you are looking for performance and seeing your team play well and do the right things.

"Obviously we want to entertain and play football, but it doesn't always go like that.''

* Rushden's win over Hull - they netted two late goals to secure a 4-2 win - sees Pool keep a ten point advantage.

While Pool go to Wrexham tomorrow night, Rushden have a tricky one at Bury.

Read more about Hartlepool here.