DARREN Williams believes that Hartlepool United's position at the foot of the table is a false one - and it won't be long before his side are moving up the table.

Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest leaves Pool fourth from bottom, with just 14 points from 13 games. All three wins this season have been away from Victoria Park.

At the City Ground they played the last half-hour with ten men after Micky Nelson was dismissed and Williams admitted: "Things livened up in the second half and it was a bit of an awkward game to start with.

"We played some decent stuff in the first half and they nicked a goal, but it didn't happen for us.

"Hands up, I didn't see the sending off incident. I know they were tussling a bit early doors, but you get that as a centre half and get it all over the pitch.

"The linesman has given it, but I don't know what has gone on.''

He added: "We put them under pressure after the sending-off and credit to the lads, because down to ten men, away from home to a big club, it's not easy.

"But we took the game to them and tried to get an equaliser. Things didn't fall for us, but it wasn't for the want of trying. I don't think our performance was a bad one, we looked sharp and passed the ball around well.

"We know we are in a false position. We are better than the table looks at the moment and we are working ever so hard to turn it around.

"There's no excuses, but sometimes things go against you in games. Their first goal came from a bit of a deflection and I was a little disappointed with the penalty decision.''

Williams conceded a late spot kick for a foul on David Johnson and admitted: "I felt it was a bit dubious - I held my hands up because I knew he was cutting across me. I didn't commit myself, if I did then it was always going to be a penalty.

"He's won the penalty rather than me conceding it.

"There was a few things the referee missed, he didn't have the best of days and I think he will admit that.''

Nelson will miss three games because of his red card for violent conduct and Williams admits he would relish the chance to play in the middle of the back line.

"Losing Micky Nelson will be a big blow to us, because he has been playing so well in there of late,'' he said.

"But the gaffer has options - I won my fair share in there when we went to three at the back - and we have other players who are desperate to play.

"In the build up to me coming here, the talk was of me playing centre half. He said there may be times when I'm not there and playing somewhere else, but I would gladly play in that role if given a chance.''

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