HARTLEPOOL UNITED'S fringe players have been told to prove their worth by assistant boss Martin Scott.

Several experienced Pool squad members played their part in a 1-0 win over UniBond League outfit Whitby Town on Saturday.

And, despite the low scoreline against lower league opposition, there were some encouraging displays ahead of the opening Second Division match at Peterborough United this weekend.

And Scott said: "It's a strong reserves side.

"There are some regular first team players in there and they know there are places up for grabs in the first team.

"What they have to do is show that they are capable of filling in those positions which are up for grabs. It's up to them.

"Nobody can expect to be on the pitch and that's what we want people to feel like.

"There were some good individual performances and they have given us some thoughts for next Saturday."

Pool went close to taking the lead after just 18 minutes when right-back Paul Arnison's 30-yard drive was superbly tipped over by Whitby's Hartlepool-born goalkeeper Mark Richies.

But the visitors did grab the opener on the stroke of half-time when striker Kevin Henderson volleyed in a cross from trialist Chris Moore.

Another player hoping to impress was Sunderland's Ireland Under-21 international Steve Capper and he nearly extended the lead on 75 minutes after some good link-up play with Marco Gabbiadini. On the stroke of full-time, Arnison's volley was well saved by substitute keeper David Campbell after a good cross from Gabbiadini.

Pool: Provett, Arnison, Robinson (Capper 46), Bass, Westwood, Easter, Boyd, Moore (Craddock 46), Richardson (Fox 69), Henderson (Robson 58), Gabbiadini. Subs all used.

Whitby: Richies (Campbell 46), Betts, Swailes (Johnson 46), Nicholson, Hall, Williams (Colley 81), Dunning, Gildea (Windros 58), Robinson (Karar 81), Hore (Jamieson 46), McTiernan (Veart 58). Subs (all used).

Result: Whitby Town 0, Hartlepool United 1.

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