A win's a win...

The club's director of football condemned his players for the way they went to sleep after taking a two-nil lead but praised the visitors for their positive approach.

He said: "The most important thing in cup ties is to get through, but all credit to Hartlepool.

"I thought they went for it in the second half and it was only our third goal that really killed them off.

"We had been under a bit of pressure and you have to acknowledge the part they played.

"I think we were a little bit unprofessional after scoring the two goals. We should have just settled the game down for five minutes and gone in with a comfortable cushion.

"But 2-1 always leaves you a little bit jittery and there were a few anxious moments in the second half. Fortunately we got the third.

"We had to work hard to get the victory but I think we have played better this season and lost.

"Sometimes you just have to take a result even though you're not entirely happy with all aspects of your play."

Evans was forced to reshuffle his line-up once again and he was happy enough with his starting eleven.

He said: "I thought Mark Robinson did really well after a long spell out through injury.

"He's given us that balance on the right."

Evans also felt Danny Invincible had performed reasonably well in his midfield role.

"He certainly got at them in the first 25 minutes. He created a few problems for them and stuck away the second goal.

As for the penalty, Evans said it had been decided before the game that Razor Ruddock would take one.

He said: "He stuck it away nicely and we should have gone on from there."

The director of football also praised Eric Sabin's contribution to the victory and said he was quite happy to see the French striker winning penalties again, thanks to his electric pace.

He added: "It will take time for Eric to get back to his best but you can't fault his contribution to the team."