MARTIN Scott feels it's time for his Hartlepool United side to get ugly.

Pool, after winning just twice in their last 12 games, are, as Scott admits, heading for a fight to try and stay in League One.

And the manager, under pressure at Victoria Park after his side last won back on December 10, is looking for a change at both ends of the pitch.

After losing at Yeovil last weekend, Pool meet Tranmere at Victoria Park on Saturday.

"We certainly had good opportunities at Yeovil - twice the ball ran across their goalline and you need players busting a gut to score a goal and get in there,'' he said.

"Possession looks nice at times but we aren't punishing teams and we need to have a good look at ourselves.

"We never really came out of the traps the first 15 or 20 minutes on Saturday, they had more possession, got the goal and that seemed to click us into place.

"Then we started to look nice, but without scoring or creating chances. We have to attack teams better and defend better.

"We aren't committing defenders with a drive or purpose and scoring gives the whole team a boost and a lift.

"We've now got 19 games to battle, scrap and fight and defend at all costs.

"Players have have made individual mistakes which cost us and as a team and a squad they are as gutted as anyone - supporters, board and staff. We are all gutted when we lose.''

Scott yesterday completed the signing of Ipswich central defender Gerard Nash on a one-month loan deal.

Meanwhile, left back Hugh Robertson has had further surgery to correct his long standing knee problem.

The Scot has played just one game this season - Pool's last victory over Bournemouth in December - before feeling the effects again.

The surgery was a success and he is expected back in training shortly.

Mark Tinkler has taken specialist's advice to try and overcome calf and Achilles and injuries.

* Reading youngster Peter Castle has joined League Two strugglers Rushden and Diamonds.

The 18-year-old centre-back will remain at Nene Park until the end of the season to gain first-team experience and help Barry Hunter's side in their battle to avoid the drop.

Read more about Hartlepool here.