Wilson has been frustrated by the number of goals conceded this season

Hartlepool United manager Danny Wilson has refused to allow excuses for Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Leeds United.

Leeds lined up with League One's top scorer Jermaine Beckford, who grabbed a brace, but Wilson was adamant his side should have coped better defensively.

"We beat West Bromwich Albion in the cup and they had quality strikers on the pitch," he told BBC Tees.

"We're not defending like we should do, and if we can't score the goals then we need to be more resolute."

Pools have never beaten Leeds in six attempts, with last season's 1-1 draw the closest they have come to getting a result.

And with 29 goals conceded in their 17 league games so far this season, Wilson is aware of the root of the problem.

"Until we toughen up we're going to continue having these problems," he said.

"Whether the strikers are scoring goals or not, the back lads should be keeping clean sheets.

"They've played a lot of games, and we're asking a lot of the boys with the personnel we've got, but they've got to do better.

"There's experienced boys at the back and we've got to defend better than we did."

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