HARTLEPOOL United may be reeling from Saturday’s FA Cup exit to Kettering, but it’s an experience Colin Larkin has suffered before.

Back in 2006, Larkin was part of the Chesterfield side which made the headlines in the Carling Cup for all the right reasons.

But they also made the news for the wrong reasons as well.

Larkin, Pools’ stand-out performer in the single goal loss at Victoria Park, recalled: “I’ve been on the end of an embarrassing upset before.

“When I was at Chesterfield we had such a good Carling Cup run – we beat Wolves, West Ham and Man City and then drew at Charlton 3-3.

“It went to extra-time and penalties and we lost on penalties. The following Saturday we played Basingstoke and lost 1-0.

“We were playing Premiership teams off the park and we went to Basingstoke and they played us off the park and easily beat us.

“I’ve been a victim of it before, but I think Saturday was harsh. The chances were there but we just didn’t get the result.

“I suppose it’s a bit embarrassing as a Football League player. We can’t be embarrassed by the performance but by the result.

“I just wish we had a midweek game to put it behind us but we’ve got a long week now to get our heads down and maybe focus a bit more on set pieces and all that kind of stuff and get it right for Saturday.’’ Larkin ran riot in the firsthalf on Saturday, as Pools created plenty of openings.

But it counted for nothing as they were unable to cancel out the 15th minute header by Moses Ashikodi and Kettering were yesterday rewarded with a home tie against Leeds United.

“We switched off really at the set piece,’’ said Larkin.

“The lads were supposed to be picking up and lost their markers. The lad has got round the back and won the header and flicked it in.

“In terms of performance - especially first half - I thought we did really, really well.

“Personally I think it was possibly the best I’ve played this season and probably for a long time.

“I saw a lot of the ball and knew I had the better of the left back as well.

“It was nice to hear the fans cheering me on every time I got the ball and it showed I was doing the right thing.

“We created a lot of chances but as I said we just lacked that finishing touch – me included.

“I had a couple of chances as well.’’