Happy but unhappy

Athletic boss Ronnie Moore had the following to say after their draw at Hartlepool, "We didn't start for 25 minutes, we were never at it and I don't know why. In fact, we were terrible. We asked the players at half-time if they knew what they were playing for because there was a magic prize at the end of it. It didn't get a lot better in the second half but at least we competed a lot more. But it was always going to be tough because they are fighting for their lives. So are we, to be fair, but for different reasons. We got on top just before half-time and got what we deserved. Maybe it was a little bit harsh, but the ball hit their lad on the arm and you take it. Perhaps it was that little bit of luck we needed and either side could have won it in the end. It would have been nice to take all three points and put even more pressure on one or two sides."

"The game was a like a cup-tie, blood and guts at one stage, and there were some encouraging signs about our play. Chris Taylor put some decent balls in the box and on another day we might have got on the end of them. If anyone thought we were in for an easy game it was never going to happen. We didn't win, but we didn't lose and that was the important thing. We got a good following again and it would have been nice for the crowd who made the trip on a wet, horrible day."

Talking about their disputed off-side decision Moore went on, "We certainly weren't playing offside, there is no doubt about that. I didn't even see the flag go up. We were just discussing that we had allowed their lad to come inside and luckily for us it got a little deflection off a player who was in an offside position. We got out of jail with that one. Our keeper had made a couple of good saves, especially one from a free kick when we were 1-0 down. If that had gone in it would have been all over. So, he has shown his worth again and made two or three great saves during the game."

"But I was disappointed at how we gave away unnecessary free kicks around our area as well as corners. Players have to relax on the ball. When the penalty came it looked like nobody wanted to take it, but Luke stepped up and it was another goal for him. If you are a striker you have got to take pens, in a decent season you might get seven or eight. That's a nice little start for your goal tally. Luke had the guts to go for it and I am pleased for him. Right now he wants to take everything and fair do's to him. Hartlepool had thrown caution to the wind in the last 20 minutes and very nearly benefited from it. But we are in a play-off position now and who knows what can happen from here?"