DAVID Hodgson questioned the professionalism of Hartlepool United manager Martin Scott after last night's Carling Cup exit at Victoria Park.

Hodgson was unhappy with Scott's over-exuberant reaction to Pool's third goal in the 3-1 victory at Victoria Park - only the second loss in seven visits to the ground for the Darlington boss.

"When we beat Hartlepool here five years ago I showed (then Pool boss) Chris Turner respect," said Hodgson after the game. "I didn't throw it into his face when we scored two goals.

"I was very disappointed with Martin Scott's attitude and professionalism tonight.

"In the face of his team scoring you don't go throwing that into the face of the opposition.

"It was disrespectful, but if that's the way he wants to act then let him get on with it."

Michael Proctor grabbd a brace for Pool, although Quakers enjoyed the better of the game for long periods.

"I was delighted with the performance in the first half and I thought we created the better chances on the break," said Hodgson. "The passing and movement was good, but we could have done with a little better selection in the pass to create more chances.

"We were committed and I think our fans will have respected that."

Despite a bright start to the second-half Hodgson admitted Proctor's goal to put Pool 2-0 up effectively decided last night's first round tie.

"I was pleased with the way we started the second half and they never even got into the game," said Hodgson. "Unfortunately they got a goal against the run of play and I think that left us chasing the game.

"We got a goal back, but we always seemed to be conscious that this was a derby and I think we lost our way a bit."

Despite conceding three goals on his Quakers debut, Hodgson also had praise for goalkeeper Bert Bossu. The Frenchman was recalled from a loan spell at Accrington Stanley on Monday to deputise for the injured Sam Russell.

"Bert came in and made some saves so I could have few complaints about him," said Hodgson. "He's been to France and back again in the last couple of days so that hasn't helped his preparations.

"He was very unfortunate with the goals and overall I thought he did well."

However, Hodgson was less than impressed with the contribution of striker Clyde Wijnhard, who was replaced by Akpo Sodje in the 59th minute.

"I just wasn't happy with Clyde's ball retention," moaned Hodgson. "There wasn't any commitment to retain the ball, which concerned me."

Pool boss Scott said: "I was really pleased, everything that we didn't do on Saturday (against Walsall) we did tonight. We started the game well. Once we scored we seemed to sit back and our goal changed our ways.

"Credit to Darlington for coming back at us, but the goals came at the right time for us."

l Kevin Blackwell hailed goal-hero Michael Ricketts after he scored for the first time in 11 months to help Leeds ease past Oldham 2-0 into the second round of the Carling Cup. The former Middlesbrough striker netted only his second goal since moving to Elland Road last summer.