Supporters chanted 'Wood Out' and the besieged boss needed a stewards' escort following a 3-1 defeat by new leaders Cambridge United at the Priestfield Stadium.

There was more bad news once Wood had made it to the dressing room. A shock 1-0 win for Hartlepool means Albion are now only seven points off the bottom and Hartlepool also have a game in hand.

But captain Ian Culverhouse leapt to Wood's defence, insisting the players are to blame for a ninth defeat out of ten and record-equalling sixth at home on the trot.

"It's down to us," declared Culverhouse. "He picks the side and I think he has gone through the whole squad to try to find a winning formula, but it is the eleven on the field who are letting him down."

Wood was philosophical about the stick from the fans. "You are going to get that," he said. "We've had a bad run.

"This was Cambridge we lost to, not Hartlepool, and we will be looking to rectify it at Plymouth on Saturday.

"The Hartlepool result is not good news, but there are still points for us to play for."

Goals by Paul Wanless, Jamie Campbell and the on-loan Neil MacKenzie lifted Cambridge above Cardiff on goals scored with two games in hand.

Gary Hart ended an Albion goal drought spanning nine hours and 21 minutes with a superb late consolation.

Added Wood: "It was our best performance for a long while. We passed it and played with determination and the scoreline flattered them.

"We have got to take the positive things out of the game. It was always going to be tough. They are not top without a reason, but we showed good character and that is something to build on."

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