Pools suffered their first league defeat in six games on Saturday after they were unable to cope with a second half onslaught from third place Huddersfield Town.

Turner's men had taken the lead through Gary Liddle but the Terriers piled on the pressure from the closing stages of the first half and Pools eventually succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.

It won't get any easier for Pools tomorrow night when Southampton visit Victoria Park looking to continue their surge up the table after a 10-point penalty for entering administration.

After slipping to 12th in the table, Turner is braced for another uphill task against the Saints, who drew 2-2 with fellow relegated side Norwich City on Saturday.

The director of sport said: "We're playing another side who have got quality players.

"I think some of the boys came out with a lot of credit on Saturday because they had to do a lot of defending, a lot of blocks and a lot of heading.

"But it's like when the smaller Premiership clubs go to Anfield, Old Trafford and places like that.

"That's us in this division when we go to Huddersfield, Leeds, Norwich and Southampton.

"That's what we're up against. These clubs have got players who have got quality, power, strength, desire and hunger with a crowd who are right behind them."

Turner added: "It's like playing against a train at times that's constantly coming at you.

"You are standing on the sideline in front of 14,500 people and up against the cosh. That's the difference between the two clubs.

"We're up there, trying to get up there but Huddersfield are on the crest of a wave.

It's difficult to combat it."