RONNIE MOORE labelled his Hartlepool United players “a disgrace” on Saturday. The same could be said about their home form in recent years.

Pools beat Newport 1-0 at Victoria Park on August 18 and, in the eight home games in all competitions since, they’ve not won.

There’s been five defeats – including reverses of 0-4, 1-4 and 0-3, while one of the draws ended in a penalty shoot-out loss in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

After winning at Dagenham on October 17, they had Barnet and Crawley to follow at home in the space of five days.

Six points would have been a tremendous return for Moore, four acceptable; one certainly wasn’t.

A draw with Barnet was followed by a woeful showing against an average Crawley team. Perhaps Moore and Co will be pleased to be playing away at Wimbledon this weekend.

Asked why his side is struggling at home this season, Moore admitted: "I have no idea, it is not like there is 40,000 here to frighten the life out of them.

"The people that come here are genuine, loyal supporters who want to see a bit of graft and determination.

"If I'd paid £20 to watch that I'd be screaming and bawling.

"You have to give the things they expect from a player, if you're having a bad game it doesn't stop you running about.

"Closing people down and harrying and chasing and get the crowd going. It was so laboured and laid back.’’

He added: "There was no spark. I would have made six changes if I could have done but you tend to stay loyal because we won away and drew at home.

"Can we finish the week off with a win with that team? You just find out some more home truths.

"There was only Oatesy who earned his corn, the rest were a disgrace to have the shirt on."

But the Victoria Park malaise hasn’t just affected Moore. The five full previous Football League seasons at home have been a huge disappointment for whoever has been in charge – Chris Turner, Danny Wilson, Neale Cooper, John Hughes, Colin Cooper, Paul Murray before him.

In 2010/11 Pools won nine games at home, losing eight. Since then they have lost more games on home turf than they won, suffering a negative goal difference in all bar one of those five seasons.

Yet support at Victoria Park has never wavered. The £100 season ticket prices introduced in 2011 brought crowds in excess of 5,000 and this season, there’s been an average of around 3,500.

“The first 45 minutes, for me, as professional footballers were a disgrace. First-half, the crowd weren’t happy and then got behind us for their effort,’’ Moore reflected on Saturday.

“The crowd was to see effort, commitment and desire. I pick that team and think why? Some players have to look at themselves as well.

“I said at half-time two were coming off and if I had the choice I would have put eight on. We were desperate for half-time and a big, big decision changes the game.

“Not one of them can say I’ve not been loyal – I’ve been too loyal to some of them.

“Seven points would have been a great week for us, Crawley at home, what makes them perform? Unacceptable from professional footballers.

“We can’t make too many changes and one or two think they are bullet proof. If I have to make changes I do it – not one of them can look me in the eyes and say they’ve not had a chance.’’