KEVIN Henderson yesterday dropped a division in the search for regular first-team football.

The Hartlepool United front-man, a fringe figure at Victoria Park of late, moved to Carlisle on loan for a month.

The Cumbrians are in desperate need of new faces following last Saturday's dismal 2-0 defeat at Darlington and caretaker boss Paul Simpson has moved quickly for Henderson ahead of Saturday's home encounter with Rochdale.

Henderson's last start for Pool was in the defeat at Scunthorpe last season - the game when Pool clinched promotion.

After being pulled out of yesterday's 2-1 reserve team win at York to travel across the A66, he said: "This gives me the chance to get my fitness right, start scoring goals and show people what I can do. My father-in-law is from Carlisle and we are always talking about them.''

The move has yet to be ratified by the Football League - Carlisle are currently the subject of a Creditor's Voluntary Agreement - but permission should be granted today.

Henderson is the second Pool striker to be farmed out on loan, Marcus Richardson is currently at Lincoln after finding his opportunities limited of late.

Meanwhile, another player out of the first-team picture, Jermaine Easter, yesterday netted twice to secure a victory at York for Martin Scott's reserve side.

Easter put Pool in front after half an hour and left-back John Brackstone curled a free-kick against the post before Easter charged down a clearance, rounded the keeper and confidently netted.

Pool new boy Ryan McCann played the full 90 minutes, as did Andrew Jordan who missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Oldham after suffering a neck injury. He is likely to be in the squad for tomorrow night's home game with Grimsby.

l The Football League have suspended a decision on Oldham's future membership until October 13.