John Ward "embarrassed" by 'tame' Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers manager John Ward has said that he was embarrassed by his side's display during Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Hartlepool United.

Playoff chasers Hartlepool opened the scoring after just 58 seconds when Marlon Harewood headed home from a corner.

The hosts' lead never came under threat as Rovers rolled over to suffer their 10th away league loss of the season.

"No complaints, absolutely not," Ward told reporters. "I'm quite embarrassed by it.

"It's a long time since I've felt this way, certainly not in the 14 or 15 months I've been here.

"We went under a little bit tamely, not something we have ever done before - we have always fought it out and been hard to beat, but not here."

Rovers are currently 18th in the League Two table, four points clear of the relegation zone.