See how the press reported our 3-0 loss to Hartlepool
Hartlepool Mail
HARTLEPOOL United boss John Hughes will be odds-on favourite for February’s manager-of-the-month award after his side enjoyed a 3-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra.
The result – secured thanks to first-half goals from Charlie Wyke and Jonathan Franks and a late strike from Andy Monkhouse – means Pools have won four and drawn two in February, a seven-match unbeaten run in total.
Results elsewhere, however, again conspired against Hughes’ men with the three teams directly above them – Bury, Colchester United and Scunthorpe United – all winning.
Pools are now six points from safety going into Saturday’s trip to Doncaster Rovers.
Crewe Chronicle
CREWE Alex were soundly beaten at relegation-threatened Hartlepool United on Tuesday night.
First-half goals from Charlie Wyke and Jonathan Franks and a 90th minute effort from Andy Monkhouse gave the in-form home side more belief they can beat the drop.
Crewe, who beat United 5-0 in the cup on the opening day of the season, created very few chances and were below par in all departments.
The result has left them 11 points off the play-off positions.
The Sentinel
STEVE Davis slammed his players for an abject performance as play-off chasing Crewe were beaten 3-0 at Hartlepool last night.
The manager suggested the way the Alex have blown hot and cold is the reason his 11th-placed side have it all to do to break into the League One top six.
And he has ordered them to dig out top standard displays on a consistent basis if they are to match his ambitions.
He said: "There were some extremely poor performances. We can't maintain a high level of performance week in, week out. We have these nights and while we have them we will always be a 'nearly' team.
"We have done superbly well this season, but I've said to the players that isn't good enough. I want players to take this club to the next level and those displays aren't going to do that."
The Sun
JON FRANKS inspired Hartlepool to a seventh game without defeat.
He set up Pools’ first with Charlie Wyke turning in before firing low across keeper Steve Phillips for the second.
Phillips was then beaten in injury time by sub Andy Monkhouse.
Pools have taken 18 points from a possible 21 — but are six points off safety.
Hartlepool boss John Hughes said: “We were down at Christmas — look at what we have done since then.”
Crewe manager Steve Davis added: “Every one of my players was well below par.”