Lee Clark accepts criticism after Hartlepool's fourth defeat in five

Hartlepool United manager Lee Clark said his side must accept criticism after a 2-0 loss at Kidderminster Harriers extended their poor run to four defeats in five National League games.

Lee Clark said his Hartlepool United side must take criticism "on the chin" after a 2-0 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers. The loss on Friday night was their fourth in the last five National League games.

Clark told reporters after the match that his team were poor. "They didn't deserve that," the manager said. "They were top, we were poor and rightly so, they let us now."

The result leaves Hartlepool 15th in the National League with nine points from seven games.

Own goal and red card

Neo Eccleston's own goal after 34 minutes put Kidderminster ahead. The Hartlepool defender's night worsened when he was sent off early in the second half, his second dismissal of the season.

Nathan Fisher started in goal after an injury to on-loan Chelsea keeper Max Merrick. Kidderminster dominated from the start, with Max Brogan hitting the post before the opening goal.

Callum Stewart sealed the win for the hosts with a second goal five minutes from time. The defeat followed a 1-0 home win against Woking six days earlier, which had ended a run of three straight losses.

Clark kept faith with most of the team that beat Woking, with Chris Popov having scored his first club goal in that match. The manager now faces the task of halting a slide that has seen his team concede six goals while scoring only five this season. Hartlepool are eight points behind leaders AFC Fylde. Their next fixture is at home to Solihull Moors on Saturday, a game listed on the club's fixtures schedule.