MARTIN Scott admits he can understand the frustration of Hartlepool United's fans.

The Pool boss has come in for criticism from sections of the Victoria Park crowd this week as Pool lost successive home games to Tamworth and Colchester.

With another home game to come on Saturday, when Bournemouth make the trip to the North-East, Scott is confident a similar performance to that given on Tuesday night will be enough to help ease the tension.

"It is unbelievable to think we didn't score when you see the amount of chances we created and the football we played,'' he said.

"But the players were a credit to themselves and I think the fans appreciated that.

"There was some shouts from the crowd late on - but that was only frustration and we are all frustrated to come away from a game we have dominated and lost.

"I am not going to have a go at my players because they deserve a massive pat on the back for the way they performed after a difficult week.

"I think the game showed exactly what we are missing - and that is goalscorers.''

Adam Boyd has stepped up his rehabilitation from knee surgery, but last season's leading scorer is still some way from a return.

Scott added: "We all want a winning team. The fans were different class and got right behind the lads.

"Only late on, when things were looking as if it was going against us, they got frustrated, but they pay good money and are entitled to voice their opinions.

"I have no problem with that but I think that the honest, genuine supporters out there felt we deserved to win that game."

* David Hodgson will hold showdown talks with Tresor Kandol this morning before deciding the fate of the AWOL striker.

Kandol, who joined Darlington on-loan from Dagenham & Redbridge last month, finally returned to Darlington yesterday - six days after Hodgson allowed the 24-year-old to return to London to attend a family Christening.

Hodgson and chairman Stewart Davies will meet with Kandol and disciplinary proceedings may be taken if the forward fails to justify his absence.

It was reported by the player's agent that Kandol was involved in a car accident on Sunday but, after investigating those claims, Hodgson was unable to shed any further light on the situation.

Read more about Hartlepool here.