CHRIS Turner last night maintained a diplomatic stance over Hartlepool United's Worthington Cup exit.

Pool went down to a 2-1 home defeat to Tranmere on Tuesday, but bowed out in controversial circumstances following a poor display by referee Mark Clattenburg.

The Chester-le-Street blower, who cut his refereeing teeth in the Northern League and holds the distinction of being the Football League's youngster ever middleman, was both booed and escorted off the Victoria Park pitch on Tuesday night.

He rejected two strong penalty appeals in injury time and baffled the Pool fans with his performance, but Turner said: "The supporters who paid money to see the game saw how Hartlepool United played, saw how Tranmere played and saw how it was refereed - that's all I can say.

"I've had a quiet chat with the referee and put my points across about how I thought it could have been refereed better. There were no raised voices, I just put my point across.''

Referee assessor Ken Redfearn saw Clattenburg after the game and spent around 30 minutes discussing the match.

Meanwhile, Saturday's derby with Darlington at Victoria Park will be officiated by Brian Curson of Hinkley, Leicestershire.

And Turner is hoping his side can continue from where they left off against Tranmere.

Pool took the game to their second division opponents in the second period and Turner said: "We did very well, especially in the second-half, and we opened them up on a number of accasions.

"They were a big, strong side and I thought the game was a bit like when we played Bury last season.

"You could see that little bit of difference in fitness, strength and ability which comes from playing in a higher division. I thought we did everything we could. All I can say to our fans is 'sorry'."

Turner left out Gordon Watson - Tranmere fielded Kevin Gray who broke Watson's leg in 1997 - but the five-goal leading scorer will be back to face Darlington on Saturday. Tickets are on sale from 10am-7pm today and tomorrow and from 9.30-noon on Saturday. A crowd of around 6,000 is expected.

Read more about Hartlepool here.