TWO goals conceded in the last minute of games already this season have cost Hartlepool United four points and two wins.

Without a victory in four this season, ahead of today’s home game with Maidenhead, boss Matthew Bates was out to correct the issue yesterday.

Pools led 2-1 at the Super 6 Stadium against Harrogate Town in their first home game before conceding a 90th minute leveller.

Then in midweek at Braintree they led 1-0 in a game they dominated before succumbing to a goal in injury time.

And Bates said: “We have twice conceded late goals and game management is something we can work on – I plan on doing something on Friday on that front. We actually did alright at Braintree, I didn’t feel we were hanging on or under pressure.

“I’ve said before there will be games – and I hope we won’t be second best – when we score late goals and come away with a point, a draw or a win when we probably don’t deserve it. The footballing gods aren’t looking down on us kindly right now, let’s be honest. It will swing around.

“We have had two away games, two draws so there’s nothing wrong with that. Players and staff are positive and we have been competitive in all our games and been the better team in three out of four games.’’

Today’s opposition managed to do the double over Pools last season. The defeat in Berkshire last August was Pools’ first reality check of a season which included many after falling into the National League.

But Bates feels Pools are far better equipped this season and, while they will miss skipper Andrew Davies for the immediate future as he recovers from an ankle ligament injury suffered last weekend, confidence has not been dented in the camp.

“If we keep playing better than the other teams then we are going to win games, it’s as simple as that,’’ insisted Bates.

“Things will change, we won’t panic at all. If the players haven’t picked up a win in four games and have been playing poorly then there’s a problem but I have no doubt at all results will come soon.’’

Bates started the season with a 3-4-3 set-up, but altered to a five-man midfield on Tuesday as he opted to pair Luke James and Niko Muir up front.

Jake Cassidy missed out, while Michael Woods came in for his first start of the new season.

Bates said: “We made some changes the other night, we have a competitive squad and there’s not one of them here who I have had a problem with – who has sulked or made an issue of things.

“So we have a good group, all vying for places. Injuries come into play and we have a good squad in terms of size, everyone will play.’’

Pools are out to impress in front of their own fans after last weekend’s home disappointment against Ebbsfleet.

They face Dagenham away next Saturday, before Chesterfield visit on Bank Holiday Monday.

And Bates added: “Maidenhead are bottom and we are at home, we want to and go out to win every home game. I’ve watched Maidenhead and they aren’t too bad – and they need a win like we do. We are full of confidence, it may sound stupid when we haven’t won a game yet, but on Tuesday we played well and play the same again this weekend and we will be OK.

“It’s been a busy start to the season. We worked on things pre-season and then since then it’s been Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday. It’s only ten days old and it seems like a month already. We haven’t been able to work on a lot of things I want to because it’s been play, rest, recovery and same again.

“It will be nice to get the lads in for a week and work on things to improve on how we play.’’