FRUSTRATED Chris Turner has warned his players that the club could face the daunting prospect of a "long, hard season" unless they start to work harder.

The Hartlepool boss's warning came following his side's home defeat by Oxford on Saturday.

Pool have now won three matches out of 15 and Turner has admitted that confidence within the camp is very low.

Speaking on the club's website, Turner admitted: "It looks like we could be in for a long, hard season if the players don't get their fingers out.

"It was the first time in a long while that we have lacked belief - it's a backs-to-the-wall job for us again."

Turner's disappointment was not helped by a tough draw in the first round of the FA Cup.

Hartlepool were handed a trip to Second Division Swindon on November 17.

"We never seem to get a good draw in cup competitions, and this is a real stinker," said Turner.

Pool fans have been advised to get their tickets for Saturday's visit to leaders Plymouth Argyle well in advance.

Home Park is undergoing building work and Hartlepool supporters have been allocated 200 seats in the main stand and 100 tickets, priced at £14 for adults and £12 for concessions, go on general sale from Thursday at the club shop.

l First Division basement boys Stockport have confirmed manager Andy Kilner has left the club by mutual consent, ending speculation over his future.

Kilner becomes the 20th managerial casualty of the season after steering his side to just one win from their opening 15 league games.

It has left them rooted to the bottom, four points adrift of Walsall, following Saturday's 4-0 thrashing by Millwall at Edgeley Park.

Chairman Brendan Elwood gave his public backing to the under-pressure manager after the game.

He said: ''Chairmen are too quick to make changes these days but I won't be sacking Andy. But the buck stops with me and I am not panicking even though we are bottom of the league.'' However, two days later the club confirmed they had parted company with Kilner, who has steered his side to 29 victories in 125 matches since taking over from Gary Megson in June 1999.

A club statement read: ''Following discussions between chairman Brendan Elwood and the manager at the weekend the contracts of Andy Kilner and assistant Des Bulpin have been terminated by mutual consent.

''The chairman and board of directors would like to place on record their gratitude for the hard work done by Andy and Des during their time at Edgeley Park.

''Reserve team manager Craig Madden will be in charge for the home game against Walsall and we hope the supporters will turn out in force to give their backing to the team.

''The club expect to make an announcement on the vacant managerial position later this week.''

Premiership leaders Aston Villa have rejected the transfer request of frustrated central defender Gareth Barry.

Villa chairman Doug Ellis has insisted: ''His future lies with us.'' Barry asked for a move because he was frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities during the current campaign.

He has become fifth-choice centre-half at Villa behind Alpay Ozalan, Olof Mellberg, Steve Staunton and Jloyd Samuel