Hartlepool's Chris Turner believes his players ran out of steam against Huddersfield as they lost 2-1.
Turner's side, unbeaten in five games before the match, were leading 1-0 thanks to a Gary Liddle header but succumbed to constant Huddersfield pressure. A Peter Hartley own goal and a stunning solo effort from Robbie Williams earned Town a fifth straight win and preserved their unbeaten home record.
``The game was like a boxing match. Huddersfield kept coming and coming at us. It became increasingly difficult to keep fending them off," he said. ``They play with a pace and intensity that means that once they build a head of steam it's going to be very difficult for any side to keep them out.''
Former Middlesbrough star Liddle scored his first goal of the season from Neil Austin's free-kick and soon after Adam Boyd was denied a second when Peter Clarke cleared off the line his goal-bound shot.
Turner added: ``Boyd did everything right and was unlucky. It might have affected their tempo a bit if they'd been two down at that stage.
``Huddersfield though have been at us from the start and it really turned against us in the last 10 minutes of the first half.
``They showed it's no fluke that they're right up there. They're on a crest of a wave and look a very good side.''
Huddersfield boss Lee Clark said: ``It was a terrific goal and there's no doubt that Robbie possesses many attributes as an attacking full-back.
``But I've laid the gauntlet down to him that he has to improve on his defending.
``He knows that with the competition we have for places that if he doesn't improve and keep up the consistency then he could be out of the side.''
