TERRY BUTCHER has admitted Saturday’s last-gasp draw with Stevenage felt like a defeat for his charges.

The Exiles are still without a win this term, despite a spirited fightback against Teddy Sheringham’s men, as Mark Hughes’ last minute leveller for the visitors sealed a 2-2 draw at Rodney Parade.

“Before the game, coming out on the touchline talking to Russell Osman, I said ‘I’ll take a point now’ but with five minutes to go, I wouldn’t have settled, I thought we had three points, but it’s never over until it is over,” he said.

“It was a harsh lesson for us, we didn’t win the first or the second header from a long throw and we ended up with an outcome we didn’t really deserve, they stole a point from us.

“And it’s hard, with this team in particular, because we are learning all the time and this was a harsh lesson. It felt like a defeat coming in after the game, but I felt we showed character to come back and played with some good swagger, the more the game progressed, we got better and better.”

Butcher felt the contest shone the spotlight on his youngsters.

“We can take so much out of the game,” he said.

“The younger players have got to grow up quick, there is no bedding-in, they’ve got to learn on the run and they reacted very well on Saturday after some strong words from me at half time.”

However, Butcher is expecting a tough test against a red-hot Hartlepool side.

“Hartlepool is a daunting trip, we go on the day, but these road trips can be character building and help the lads band together, though it’s a long trip, one to pack your duvet, your pillow, maybe a hammock and see where we go from there,” he joked.

“Our players have shown they are very adaptable, we are testing ourselves against the best, we go to Hartlepool as underdogs looking to upset the odds.

“We have no new injury troubles, but no players coming back.

“The players have recovered well, they had a choice between swimming and training on Monday and they picked training.

“Hopefully that speaks volumes.”