HARTLEPOOL United’s winless run continues but manager Paul Hartley praised his side's attitude after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Northampton in League Two.

Former Poolie Tyler Magloire opened the scoring for the Cobblers before Josh Umerah netted just before half-time to level the game which was the club's first goal of the season.

But Paul Hartley's side were denied a point in the second half when a mix up between defence and goalkeeper was finished inside the box by Louis Appere.

Two defeats from three has left Pools rooted to second bottom in the table in League Two

Hartley was quick to defend his players performance as he told BBC Radio Tees Sport: "I think we were a bit unlucky in certain periods of the game. I think our attitude was brilliant. We could have scored because we created but it is fine margins for the two goals.

"It was always important to get that goal right before half-time. We regroup and we tell the players to keep positive. We think we were doing well in the game.

"The conditions were not going to be easy, we knew the game would slow down, it would be end-to-end at times so it was hard to go and press but I thought our overall work rate was terrific."

Controversy marred Northampton's second goal as goalkeeper Ben Killip claimed he had been fouled in the build up to the chance but Pools claims were ignored. 

Hartley continued: "Was it a free-kick? Was it a penalty kick? I wasn't sure what he had given but he's given the goal so it was disappointing but I thought we reacted well to the goal."

Hartlepool now have back-to-back home games in the league starting with Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday evening before welcoming Mark Hughes' Bradford City side this weekend.