GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst admits he was embarrassed by his side's showing in their dire 4-0 defeat at part-time FC Halifax last night.
The Mariners shipped three goals in a nightmare first half before Neil Aspin's men completed the misery by adding a fourth just after half-time.
And, after being booed from the pitch by the travelling faithful at the full-time whistle, Hurst admitted that his side were 'gutless' in defeat.
He told the Telegraph: "Embarrassing is the word that I'd use to describe that. The game was over at half-time and we couldn't cope with their system which is strange because we were matched up.
"Every time they broke we were overrun and they looked like they could score.
"It's something that I want to study in detail and will be doing so with the players because that was pretty gutless from us."
He added: "I know some won't like to hear it, but I'd like to say to the fans that we appreciate their support. If any of the fans think that it doesn't hurt or that I put out a team not to win the game, then they're not on this planet.
"I understand the frustration at the final whistle and I can't stand here and defend that performance.
"It's a tough one to take but if you're a true fan, you stick with your team through the good and the bad – that was bad – but I know a lot of the fans that came will still travel to Chester because they're true supporters.
"All I can say is that the team doesn't go out intentionally to do what they did, but it wasn't good enough.
"I apologise for that, but I ask them to keep backing the team because, given the position that we're in, the club needs the fans more than they ever have.
"We're in the Conference and if fans turn on us it will make things extremely difficult.
"It's a case of asking some questions, having some home truths and then moving on to the game at Chester where there has to be a massive reaction."
Let us know how you think the players performed...