Sloppy Pools made to sweat it out

IT’S four successive wins for Hartlepool United – but Dave Challinor and his players weren’t celebrating.

- Thomas Hannah

After strolling to a three-goal lead, Pools eased off and allowed Wealdstone to pile on pressure of their own, denied twice by the woodwork

Pools trail leaders Torquay by eight points at the top of the table and aim to make a sustained promotion push.

But they will have to learn to see games off better, as Challinor said: “It’s pleasing to make it four wins in a row, but the last 20 minutes we didn’t perform.

“There was a bit of disappointment in the dressing room – it didn’t feel like we had won as they know they can be better than the last 20 minutes. We have to play better and see games out better.

“We had chances before we scored and we knew they would defend and make it difficult for us.