MARTIN SCOTT believes Hartlepool United's much-changed squad are finally beginning to prove to supporters that they are just as capable of securing a play-off place as the class of last season.

But the Pool manager has warned his players not to ease off in their attempts to climb back into the top six for the first time since the final day of the last campaign.

Scott watched his side make light work of a date with Gillingham on Tuesday night when a non-stop second-half display secured a 3-1 win.

That triumph over the Gills, who are managed by Scott's predecessor Neale Cooper, was achieved with five summer recruits playing their part.

Initially this term Pool struggled to show the sort of form that earned them a trip to the Millennium Stadium last season, as the getting-to-know-each-other stage took longer than expected.

However, Scott claims the fans are starting to realise all of the men drafted in are capable of doing a job in League One.

"It's tough when you bring new players in and you have to move them up to the North-East," said Scott, who had Darren Williams, Neill Collins, Chris Llewellyn, Lee Bullock and Michael Proctor on the field against Gillingham.

"They are showing they are good players and they are fitting in. I have belief in every single player I have brought to this club and the players who were already here. The fans are seeing that now.

"This squad has given me nine points from three games, which is what I wanted. I know all the frustrations but we have had exactly the same start as last year - when we got to the final in Cardiff.

"We were worried about the start but I have great belief in this set of players. They have been different class and we are all working together. Things will go against us again but we will learn from it and move forward.

"I know how frustrated the fans have been but I always knew the players would turn it around."

Scott's third successive victory came at the expense of his old work colleague Cooper, who admitted he will always remember the standing ovation he received from his old supporters.

"It was a fantastic reception and I have to say a big thank you to them for that," he said. "I got a nice couple of plaques from the supporters. I really appreciate that and to come out and get the welcome I got was great."

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