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The Robins went 3-0 behind after just 23 minutes and were never in the contest against the National League high-flyers.

United added three more goals in the final 22 minutes to complete a comprehensive victory.

“Credit to Hartlepool, they were fantastic and on a different level in terms of their passing and fluidity and we couldn’t live with it,” he said.

“Our game plan went out of the window after six minutes.

“You can’t concede against anyone after six minutes. Our plan was to get behind the ball and frustrate them and the longer the game went on then we could take more chances.

“At 3-0 you think it is going to be a damage limitation, but credit to the lads, they dug in and from 25-65 mins we did really well.

“We switched off late on and got punished with more goals.

“We conceded five goals from counter attacks today and that is where we have to look at our own game and desire to break with tempo.”

It left Carruthers counting the cost of missed opportunities after his side mis-fired in front of goal.

“We were pleased with the half time reaction,” he added.”If we had got a goal back at 3-1 and then maybe 3-2 we would be back in the game and it would be a proper cup tie.

“For whatever reason we just couldn’t take our chances, normally we are quite clinical.

“We said to the boys after the game that on another day it could have been 8-4, we certainly deserved to score a goal.

“It just wasn’t to be. To concede three late goals looks a real mauling, when in actual terms, the scoreline was a little harsh.”

Luke Moluneux got United off to a flyer, before Joe Grey made it 2-0 two minutes later. Tom Crawford put Pools in command with another on 23 minutes.

James Reid and Zak Goodson both went close before Alex Troke twice hit the post as Town rallied up to half-time.

United then added further late goals through Mason Bloomfield, David Parhouse and Gavan Holohan.