Magnay calls on his players to get tough

GATESHEAD manager Carl Magnay has warned his players they must be more ruthless if they want to boost their National League play-off ambitions with a win at Hartlepool United today.

- By Mark Carruthers

The Heed are sat in seventh place in non-league's top tier - ten points ahead of 11th-placed Pools after a 3-1 home defeat against York City on Good Friday. Pools lost at fourth-placed Oldham as York triumphed on Tyneside.

Magnay's men made a positive start against the Minstermen as Luke Hannant fired his side in front inside the opening ten minutes but the visitors turned it around thanks to a brace from Ashley Nathaniel-George and a Junior Luamba goal.

However, much to Magnay's frustration, Gateshead wasted a number of opportunities to extend their lead and, later, get back into the game.

With his side now sitting in the sixth and final play-off spot, with a five-point cushion ahead of Southend, the Heed boss knows exactly what he wants from his players as they prepare to visit one of his old clubs.