RONNIE Moore admitted his side “huffed and puffed” in defeat to Exeter, while rueing a lack of quality from his Hartlepool United players.

Pools lost 2-0 at home to Exeter, following a disappointing performance in which they failed to muster any worthwhile efforts on target.

The crowd filtered out at the end as soon as the visitors scored a late second, leaving Pools floundering at the wrong end of League Two.

Neither side mustered many chances in front of goal, with Pools’ best spell coming at the start of the second half.

That was when left-winger Nathan Thomas started to cause problems on the flank, but a lack of firepower from the division’s lowest scorers was clear.

It was only in the 86th minute when goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik had to make a save, as Pools’ left back Jake Carroll fired a weak shot from distance.

A minute later it was game over as Alex Nicholls broke away and crossed for Joel Grant to net via the underside of the crossbar, as Pools defenders claimed the ball didn’t cross the line.

Moore said: “We started well, high tempo but didn’t create too much. Then we huffed and puffed. Nothing in the game first half, but their lad gets a free header in for a goal.

“If you can’t defend a cross like that then we aren’t going to win games.

“Second half Nathan was a constant threat, he needed more ball, beat their lad put them back and the strikers have to be on the front foot.

“If he’s going wide, past the full back easily and so often then get on the front foot and a natural scorer in there means we win it.

“They had one second-half chance and we were attacking and attacking without testing.

“The crowd were behind us, but once we go two down it doesn’t matter as we have lost two nil.

“The second goal was it over the line? The linesman gave it, he through it was, players didn’t think it was. The flag was up, but we should have defended better.’’