HARTLEPOOL United manager Graeme Lee remained defiant after their penalty shootout heartbreak to Rotherham United in the semi final of the Papa John’s Trophy and says there was huge positives to take from their performance.

Pools pushed the League One leaders beyond 90 minutes with an enthralling 2-2 draw at the Suit Direct Stadium with Joe Grey and Luke Molyneux twice putting them ahead during the game.

They went on to lose 5-4 in sudden death as the Millers sealed a place in the final against Sutton United.

Lee praised the spectacle on show in front of a bumper crowd and that his players can’t let the agonisingly loss get to them.

“You couldn’t not enjoy the game and what it was” said the Pools boss.

“Obviously you are nervous and you focus on what the lads are doing throughout the game but the efforts and what we gave on that pitch tonight against a top team in League One was immense.

“The lads gave everything. They stuck to the game plan to try and stop hoe they play but they don’t stop. They just keep going and they are effective and that’s why they are top of the league but we dealt with them.

“We created chances and scored goals and put ourselves ahead. We responded to their equaliser. Performance wise, we’ve got to take so much from that. We’ve matched them at times throughout the game and we’ve had to dig in."

Before the game, Lee said he was the type to look away from vital spotkicks and it transpired to be the case in tonight's penalty shootout. 

“I thought when it got to 4-3 and we scored the penalty, I didn’t look because I thought we were through. I really did. I thought the lad was going to miss. I just looked at the fans and I was waiting for the response. There was an ‘ooh’ so I’m guessing Ben (Killip) was close.

“The lads have took responsibility and stepped up to take the penalties so fair play to them. As a player, I didn’t do that. I’ve got no qualms or no worries about the miss. That happens in football.

“We can’t dwell on it. We’ve got to look at the positives at our display and take that into the league as we have been. Our performances in the league have been good but we can’t dwell on it. We’ve got to take positives from it and kick on.”