Hartlepool United 3-1 FC Halifax Town: "We didn't play the conditions as well as we should have" says Wild

Second-half goals from Rhys Oates and Mason Bloomfield condemned Town to defeat after Nyal Bell's dismissal.

Billy Chadwick's second goal in three games had brought Town level after Ryan Johnson's early opener.

"The weather was very much a leveller, their first goal comes from us not dealing with the wind and the swirl, and unfortunately he gets the better of Greeny at the far post," said the Town boss.

"But then we get back in the game and I thought for the majority of the first-half we were by far the better side.

"We felt second-half we were going to come out and dominate, but we didn't play the conditions as well as we should have.

"There was nothing in the game, but he (Oates) gets down the side of us and makes it 2-1.

"That's probably the difference in the game.

"The third goal we're chasing the game anyway.

"So we always thought we had a chance at 2-1 to level it up, but I don't think we created enough second-half to hurt them enough, we didn't cause them enough problems second-half.

"But yet again, it's another embarrassing decision from an official that's cost us.

"I've said to Nyal that his first yellow is poor because he kicks the ball away, and he shouldn't do that, but for the second one, I'll back him all the way.

"The ref's given us a free kick but he decides to send him off. The decision just doesn't make sense."

Wild believed his team did enough to deserve a draw from the game.

"Yeah, we were good for a point," he said. "I don't think there's anything between the two sides, they're quite even.

"But it's fine margins, they got down the side of us once and they've come away with the three points."

Wild added: "I don't think we played the conditions well enough to warrant what we wanted out of the game.

"I thought both teams cancelled each other out second-half but it was just one of those games where they broke away once and scored.

"They just nicked it on the day."

Wild is hoping both Neill Byrne and Jamie Allen will return for Monday's game with Altrincham after missing the Hartlepool match through injury.

Wild will welcome Jeff King back from suspension, but will be without Bell after his red card.

"We came here threadbare, with 16 left and a kid on the bench," he said.

"That doesn't help you. But I thought the lads gave a good account of themselves."