BRYAN HUGHES rued Wrexham's inability to hold onto the lead after suffering a 4-2 defeat against Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.

The Reds, not for the first time this season, went ahead through Akil Wright's 38th minute strike but Pools equalised before the break.

Worse was to come as the hosts went 3-1 up at the start of the second half and although Bobby Grant reduced the deficit, Pools scored a fourth goal before Wrexham centre-back Jake Lawlor was shown his sent off for the second time this season.

"First and foremost it has got to hurt people when we concede goals like that," said Hughes.

"At the moment, teams don't have to work too hard to score goals against us; I have just addressed that with the players.

"It was a difficult game so quickly after the weekend game. I made a few changes to freshen things up and try and protect some players as well.

"The first 30 minutes or so I felt Hartlepool took the game to us and we had to work hard.

"I think after that point we started getting a bit of belief, we started knocking it around a bit and created a few more chances, and we got a goal.

"But we have got to learn how to keep that goal, especially conceding so quickly after we scored.

"It is imperative that you try and keep the lead, especially when you are away from home, and it was hard to take."