HARTLEPOOL UNITED go to Gateshead today on the back of chalking up yet another low point in their unflattering season.

Short on confidence and belief, Pools were beaten at home by Maidenhead on Saturday, the Berkshire club securing a National League double over Pools.

And Craig Harrison’s out of sorts team will have to find something extra from somewhere if they are to prevent Gateshead doing the same in a matter of days.

Pools go to the International Stadium today, before the Heed – managed by ex-Newcastle defender Steve Watson – visit Victoria Park on New Year’s Day.

Over 1,800 tickets have been sold to Pools fans today, with admission now available on the gate.

But supporters left Victoria Park on Saturday downbeat and deflated after the part-timers from Berkshire eased a second-half victory.

Pools led through a Jake Cassidy header before they conceded two soft goals in the second-half.

As soon as Louis Laing, who has produced some desperately poor displays this season, turned the ball into his own net, Pools collapsed.

Belief and confidence disappeared and the visitors won it late on. There was a rally of sorts, but Pools never really looked like scoring again.

The players were in on Christmas Eve, and off yesterday before today’s game.

“It’s two really soft, sloppy goals in a catalogue of poorly defended goals,’’ reflected boss Craig Harrison.

“I was disappointed we were only one-up at half-time, we had chances to score and it didn’t happen for that second goal. The message was keep going and get the second goal.

“Second goal is a huge one and we had a wobble after the goal we conceded first. The second goal is two or three examples of defensive softness. We need more steel, the best way to describe it is soft. I’ve said that for a long time now.’’

Harrison’s defensive options are further limited with Kenton Richardson suffering a broken collar bone on Saturday. He hopes to have Michael Ledger available to slot into central defence. Playing Laing and Scott Harrison together is a disaster waiting to happen, as proved again on Saturday when they were paired up following Richardson’s withdrawl.

“A second goal for us puts the game to bed and we started the second half well for a second goal, crossed into the six-yard box. Then we give a sloppy one away and the reaction we want isn’t there,’’ added Harrison.

“That’s the biggest part of injuries we talk about – who will drag them up and lift the players and lead them? That’s not being disrespectful, but they are senior players who will tell people it’s not good enough.

“We got in a muddle after conceding, when we need to go back to what we were doing.

“After the first goal I made an attacking substitution to press them back for a second. Can we score two and three and accept we are likely to concede? It didn’t happen despite the pressure.

“You can only make an impact from your substitutes.

“It’s tough times and we won’t give up – I’ve been in life threatening and career threatening positions. Those experiences make me a tough person. We will be in tomorrow, the lads will work hard as they can, the staff always will and we have enough players and staff here to get it right.’’

Of today’s opposition Harrison said: “It will be a tough one, I watched them last week and they looked good going forward. It will be tough, but we have good players here and need to make sure we are signing off the same hymn sheet.

“We have the same staff as we did with one defeat in 12 and we are not a million miles away. The encouraging thing today was the creative side. Going forward the last few weeks have been good, we weren’t giving away terrible goals. But you can’t go into games needing to score two goals.’’