BEN Clark surveyed the scene of Hartlepool's first defeat under caretaker boss Paul Stephenson and admitted he felt as if he had been 'kicked in the teeth'.

Glanford Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Pool and Clark.

Pool have not recorded an away victory at Scunthorpe since March 1990 - 12 visits ago.

And if that does not make miserable enough reading, then nine years without a point or a goal will.

Pool's visits to Glanford Park haven't exactly been a picnic for Clark either.

He was controversially sent off in the last minute of his club's LDV Vans Trophy visit back in October for what looked like a legitimate challenge after appearing as a second-half substitute.

When Pool tried to appeal against his dismissal they were unable too as the home side had forgotten to video the game.

Ironically, the 23-year-old defender received his marching orders for a challenge on Ian Baraclough, the same midfielder who opened Scunthorpe's account on Tuesday evening.

"We'd actually dominated the first half but they kicked us in the teeth with a goal just before half-time, which was disappointing,'' he said.

"I had just said to Darren (Williams) and Nelse (Micky Nelson) that it was the most comfortable we felt playing all season.

"But I suppose that's where we must be more alert. We came out in the second half and we were a bit slack."

Despite Tuesday's setback against the Iron - Pool's first defeat in six games - Clark insists there are several positives to be gleaned since Stephenson took control of first-team affairs, most notably his blossoming partnership with Nelson at the heart of the defence.

Former boss Martin Scott usually employed Clark as a defensive midfielder, much to his frustration.

But Stephenson has restored the ball-playing centre back to his natural position, much to the defender's delight.

"We played together on the first day of the season, although we didn't play together in pre-season," revealed the former Sunderland defender.

"We didn't have the best of games because we played against Dean Windass, who did really well.

"But we've played together in the last five games and we've begun to strike up a really good understanding, along with Darren, Ritchie Humphreys and Dimi (Konstantopoulos).

"We have to keep working hard on the training ground to keep that going but that familiarity creates a better understanding.

"You saw how well Nelse and Chris Westwood played together before I came to the club, they had a great partnership.

"It takes time to develop an understanding and hopefully we can carry on until the end of the season and get out of trouble.

"I prefer to play at centre back because the game is in front of me and I think Nelse and I complement each other.

"He likes to go out and dominate and win the ball and I like to play from the back.

"Nelse does a lot of hard work and is an unsung hero but the fans love him for his aggression."

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