Admitting that the Cobblers did not deserve anything from their visit to the North East, Boothroyd told the official NTFC website that 'we had too many players not at the level they were a week ago.'
He also explaned his decision not to risk Chris Hackett despite the winger's importance to the Cobblers cause, saying: "Hopefully he will be ok for Tuesday."
It doesn't get any easier for Town as they now face a Chesterfield side flying high at the top of the League Two table. Boothroyd believes his men are still heading in the right direction despite the Hartlepool defeat but they will face another stiff test of their resolve against the joint-leaders.