NEW POOLE Town boss Steve Tully admitted he was disappointed by his side’s defeat to Hungerford Town but felt encouraged by the performance.

Despite taking a first-half lead through Toby Holmes, Poole lost 2-1 to Hungerford in Tully’s first game in charge after Elliot Dugan’s brace in the second period.

MATCH REPORT: Poole taste defeat to Hungerford in Tully’s first game in charge

Having been appointed as boss hours before kick-off, there was no time for Tully to work with his players on the training ground.

Speaking after the game, he told the Daily Echo: “I really, really liked the players. “I'm not gonna lie. I really like the players.

“Don't get me wrong, we’re disappointed with the result, but I looked at who was on the pitch at the end of the game – three under-23s, we're down to limited numbers, but I really, really liked us, the way we played.

“First half could have been two or three nil, if we were a little bit more clinical, we played the better football.

“I said to them at half time, 1-0 was never going to win this game.

“We needed a second goal.

“But rather than take a step forward, we took a step back and tried to sit in shape and be safe.

"You're never going to win anything being safe, and I think that's the most disappointing thing.

“I've just explained to them - we’ve lost a game of football tonight but actually I really liked us, the way we played.

“We’ve got to get on the ball more, we've got to pass the ball.

“We're not a team that is going to be long ball, we've got to play.

“There's some really good performances out there and I'm really pleased.

“Don't get me wrong, I'm disappointed with the result.

“We are all gutted about the result, but actually really pleased with how we played.”

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Poole will have no time to lick their wounds, as they are straight back in action on Good Friday when they host AFC Totton at BlackGold Stadium (3pm).