McCarthy says Vale could easily be 10 points better off in League One

Vale had been 2-0 up at Victoria Park, only to lose 3-2 following the sending off of defender Krystian Pearce.

"You've got to wonder if there's something wrong in terms of the mental strength," said McCarthy, who now works as a summariser for BBC Radio Stoke.

"Even at 2-2, they should have been strong enough to earn a point."

In terms of work rate and attitude, you can't fault the team Vale legend Jon McCarthy

The defeat at Hartlepool is the latest in a long line of matches where Vale have surrendered points in the closing stages.

McCarthy says the inability to close out games has cost them dearly: "The late goals they have conceded have cost them a lot of points.

"If they had been able to hang on, they might have another 10 or 11 points and they wouldn't be in such deep trouble at the bottom."

But ahead of Swansea City's visit to Vale Park on Saturday, McCarthy believes there are still some positives to take from their performances.

"In terms of work rate and attitude, you can't fault the team. Players like Toby Mikaelsson and Kyle Perry are improving all the time. It was a much better performance at Hartlepool."