RONNIE MOORE branded his Hartlepool United players as a disgrace after losing 2-1 to Crawley Town.

Pools, down to ten men for the final 25 minutes after defender Scott Harrison was red carded for handball, gave a desperately poor first-half performance.

They trailed when burly former Pools midfielder Simon Walton scored from the penalty spot after Harrison’s goalline problems and fell two goals down as Rhys Murphy tapped in.

And, while Billy Paytner’s 80th minute header gave them some late hope, it wasn’t enough to extend Pools’ winless run at home to over two months. Their last Victoria Park win was against Newport on August 18.

Moore fumed: “It’s disappointing, massively disappointing. We have given a side below us 45 minutes start and how we got in at 0-0 at half-time was a miracle.

“The first 45 minutes, for me, as professional footballers were a disgrace.

“It’s more annoying for me that a set of footballers can put a performance in like that for 45 minutes. We are the home team – we have some great talkers, but not many do it.

“We came out bright and had a bit of a go, it’s disappointing that one ball splits the back four – how many times do we talk about it?’’

Of the red card, he said: “Trevor Carson makes a great save and the referee never even gave himself time to think – straight red. It looks harsh and I’d like him to have another look at it.

“It was a powder puff performance – I put that team out. We played two games in a week and we aren’t gifted in a squad to make seven changes. We stand by one or two players and today I found out answers about certain people.

“I won’t fall into that trap again. I’ve not screamed and shouted, do that too often and it goes in one ear and out the others.

“There’s no days off this week, they are in Sunday now.’’

Crawley boss Mark Yeates said: “I felt we were in control for the majority of the game, we just didn’t have very good game management in the last ten minutes.

“For the penalty, it’s a clear call as far as I’m concerned, I don’t know why Rhys decided to take it around the keeper in the first place, but I wasn’t a centre-forward!

“The follow up was drilled in and the lads raised his arm on the line – as clear cut as I’ve seen.

“Referees don’t have any choice in the matter these days, it’s a red card straight away.

“It’s harsh on Hartlepool, you lose a player and have a penalty awarded against you – it’s double jeopardy and maybe we should all campaign against the principles of it.’’