David Mirfin admits losing at home to Burton Albion was never on the agenda on Saturday.

Hartlepool United looked set to play out a tame 0-0 draw with the promotion-chasers, before conceding a late goal.

Pools were all over the place at the back as they were caught on the counter-attack, allowing Florent Cuvelier to score and condemn Pools to home defeat number nine this season.

Mirfin, on loan from Scunthorpe, said: "It was never in our mind that we were going to lose that game against a side that are now top of the league.

"I have said it from day one, there is nothing between the top and bottom teams in the division.

"It is either a lapse of concentration or a mistake or an unbelievable piece of quality.

"On our part it was a lack of concentration and not doing our jobs properly.

"The conditions were bad but it was the same for both teams.

"The conditions didn't allow them to play how they wanted to or us, we matched them for effort and stride for stride.’’

He added: "We matched them on that front or even a little bit better.

"The goal happened so quickly but in terms of the set up from the free-kick we were spot on.

"Somewhere along the way from their keeper coming out and punching it and them scoring something has gone wrong.

"But even then we still had our full half to pull them down or take the free-kick.

"Frustration is the word, you don't to rely on the other teams above you to lose.

"But when you see that they have and we missed a good chance to pick something up - even if it was just a point.

"They all add up. It is three games we have lost 1-0 now and out of those we should have had at least three points, if not five.

"It is frustrating but the reasons why we haven't got those points is the reason we are where we are.’’