LIAM DONNELLY backed up the verdict of his manager in insisting that Hartlepool United need to cut out the mistakes.

Pools went down 2-1 at Colchester on Saturday, their fifth successive away defeat.

And, ahead of back to back home games this week with Crewe tomorrow and Exeter on Saturday, defender Donnelly admits it’s time to put the mistakes to bed.

"We were hoping to come away with at least a point but a couple of times we switched off and that cost us,’’ he reflected.

"We need to cut those out, because we pose quite a threat going forward.

"We kept the ball well and looked dangerous, we just need to shore up at the back.

"I think we controlled things in the first half.

"They came at us in the second half a bit more but when we got the ball on the floor we looked dangerous and scored a good goal.

"Goals win games and, as a defender, it's up to us to keep the ball out of our net.’’

Donnelly was guilty of conceding a penalty, awarded after goalscorer Kurtis Guthrie got goal side of the left-back and tumbled under a challenge.

"You could see where he was coming from. I got on the wrong side of me, he's got in front of me,’’ reflected the Northern Ireland Under-21 skipper.

"I think he was looking for it, trying to get any contact he could. If there's any sort of contact and the lad goes down he's going to give it.’’

Pools went close to a leveller as they pressed the home side back after Nathan Thomas reduced the deficit to 2-1.

Donnelly added: "It was good build-up play and a good goal by Nathan.

"We got into a good few positions today, the final ball wasn't quite good enough, myself included.

"I think we need a bit more self-belief because we have shown we are capable of cutting teams apart.’’

Pools are offering a buy one get one free ticket offer for this week’s home games. They can be bought in advance before kick-off tomorrow from the club’s ticket office at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium.