Swindon Town boss Maurice Malpas insisted The Robins must take the positives despite seeing a three nil lead wiped out at Victoria Park.

A treble from Simon Cox took the striker's tally to nine goals for the season but the evening ended in disappointment for the 139 travelling fans as Town had to settle for a point.

"We were quite comfortable going into the break but once they got back into it, both sides saw the headlines. Overall we have to look at that as two points dropped.

"The players are really disappointed with the final result but we have to pick the players up in time for Tuesday's game at Hereford United.

"In the first half I thought we were excellent. We kept the ball well and worked out way up the park. I can't praise the players enough for their first half performance.

"Hartlepool got the bit between their teeth but we didn't pick up our men and they scored a few goals which were too easy. They saw the headlines that they could come back from three nil down and they did just that."

The manager also had praise for Simon Cox who netted a first treble of his fledgling career at Victoria Park.

"He did very well. The three finishes were excellent and he could have had more at the end of the day. We had more chances, but that's a positive given that we were away from home.

"Phil Smith made one good save in the first half but didn't have much else to do. Lee Peacock had a good game and we needed a bit more strength in the middle of the park. We had to be a bit more direct and that's what we did."

Malpas was already casting half an eye on next weekend's home clash with League One rivals Huddersfield Town which follows the Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash at Hereford United on Tuesday.

"It is a big game at our place next weekend, not just for the players but for the fans too. The players have to stand up and be counted and so do the fans because next weekend is a big game for the football club.

"It is a long journey home now. We are disappointed but the players are already desperate to get out there and do the business against Hereford."