THEY wasted their three chances to make inroads on the top seven, and tonight Hartlepool United have a second opportunity which they can’t pass up.

Pools have taken only two points from their last three home games, and Saturday’s defeat to Aldershot was an uninspiring affair.

They lost 2-0 in a game in which they failed to muster a shot on target. That has to improve when Halifax visit this evening.

And boss Craig Harrison admitted: “It’s four points to the play-offs, we are in a similar place to how we were before Saturday’s game. It was three points and eight, now it’s four and nine from play-offs to top.

“The gap isn’t that big, we go again Tuesday and look to close that gap.

“We put Saturday away, to one side and improve on it. We have been on a great run, we are all happy to take the pats on the back and all that, but we weren’t good enough. We have to be men about it and accept it.

“It’s one game, one defeat. Our second defeat in 14 in the league, it’s disappointing both defeats have been at home. The same frustrations the supporters have are with me.’’

He added: “This is three points lost, we have to make it up on Tuesday against Halifax. The crowd and support was fantastic, I’m frustrated for them. The players are and they are gutted with this result. We were in first thing Sunday morning to analyse it and see what we can do better.’’

Pools were off the pace from the off on Saturday. Harrison could opt to recall Michael Woods and Michael Ledger this evening, the latter missing on Saturday after needing an operation on a broken nose early last week.

The squad was in for training on Sunday as planned to prepare for tonight.

“It’s always disappointed to get beat, but it’s good everyone is disappointed, everyone is gutted,’’ mused Harrison. “Some dressing rooms don’t care. It wasn’t good enough. We won’t drag it on any longer than we need, the players know and have said why.

“We look back with a clear head later.

“There’s honest players here, they will run through a brick wall for each other and will be the first to say when it’s not good enough. There’s an honest bunch of players and I’d be surprised anyone thought it was remotely good enough.

“Not for the want of trying, we prepared well, training has been good and it just didn’t happen.’’