WEYMOUTH manager Brian Stock believes the Terras’ 4-0 loss at Hartlepool United is a dose of “realism” following a demanding Vanarama National League campaign.

Part-time Weymouth’s first season back in non-League’s top flight after an 11-year absence resulted in a highly creditable 18th place.

Promotion contenders Notts County beat the Terras 3-0 last week before Hartlepool wrapped up a home play-off by seeing off Stock’s injury-plagued side at Victoria Park.

Ryan Johnson nodded Pools in front before Rhys Oates added a second.

Weymouth lost skipper Josh McQuoid to injury before Mark Shelton swept home a third.

Calvin Brooks was desperately unlucky to hit the bar before Gavan Holohan’s solo effort rounded off the scoring, Weymouth striker Andy Dallas then missing an open goal to compound his side’s afternoon.

READ MORE: Hartlepool 4-0 Weymouth - match report

READ MORE: Heavy loss for Terras at Hartlepool - how it happened

Speaking to Echosport, Stock said: “When you come up against a Hartlepool side and look at what the players have had to churn out, it’s very tough on this group of players.

“When I’ve only got one sub that’s fit to bring on, trying to change and freshen things up was almost impossible, especially with Josh going down with injury.

“The last two or three away games we’ve come up against very good sides, especially Hartlepool and Notts County. They’re looking very strong for the play-offs.

“It’s important this group remember what they’ve done this season. We didn’t want to lose 4-0 but there is a little bit of realism behind that, given the demands of this league.

“The biggest thing we’ll draw is a really good experience coming up against good teams and fans.

“It highlights the relentlessness of this league.”

Stock admitted the Terras were “run ragged” as Hartlepool dominated the first half.

He said: “We’ve not conceded from a set-piece for some time. They’re not the biggest of sides but we’ve lost a marker and at times we were run ragged.

“The biggest thing I ask is to never give up. I felt there was a big gulf between the sides in terms of what we delivered.

“But it’s important we focus on the positives because we’re going to need to reflect on them come the start of pre-season.

“For us to finish 18th in front of other teams is a very good result, in my eyes.”

Weymouth can count themselves unfortunate not to have scored through Brooks or Dallas.

“You’re turning around thinking: ‘How have we not scored?’ Stock said.

“We could’ve quite easily had three and they could quite easily have had three more.

“I won’t delve too much into this performance. I know where we’re at as a team.

“We need to bring a lot more physicality and at times we got beaten up – that’s happened on a few occasions this year – but they kept going right to the end.

“Although the performance was way below par, it’s important we remember what we’ve done.”