CHRIS TURNER has set his side a new target for the season – to reach 60 points.

Back-to-back wins over Orient and Brighton have given Hartlepool United a massive lift in their scrap to ensure League One football remains at Victoria Park next season.

After dropping into the relegation zone on Good Friday, Pools have responded in style with six points from six to put them four points ahead of fourth-bottom Tranmere.

With their next two games against Wycombe and Stockport – second bottom and bottom of the table respectively – another six points would put Pools on 51 points and as good as safe.

But Turner wants them to press on for more.

“We kept the same team for the two games over the weekend and the desire they have is superb. This squad has desire in abundance and they have only let us down three times all season,” he said.

“I want us to win six games, all of them. Whether we do, let’s see. When we are safe we want to kick on and get 60 points.

“It’s been a long time coming back to back games, we keep going and work to get the same results against Wycombe and Stockport. Then the pressure, with two more wins, would be off, but we won’t stop driving forward.’’ Before the win at Orient, Turner told his players that the team would change for Monday’s home game with Brighton.

But the display at Brisbane Road was so encouraging, the Pools boss admitted he could not alter a winning team.

“I did tell them I would make changes, but I go with my gut feeling,” he said. “Because the players did so well at Orient I decided not to change it. I was certain they could go on and go it again.”

■ New Peterborough manager Gary Johnson is willing to give the backroom staff at London Road an opportunity to remain with the club.

Nicky Eaden assisted previous boss Jim Gannon, and Johnson, who was unveiled by Posh on Tuesday, is happy to give the existing staff a chance to work under him as well.

“Obviously, they get the same opportunity as the players to make sure that they’re part of how the manager sees things. If they’ve got the same philosophy then it becomes very easy to work with new people.

“I think everybody at this club seems very happy to stick around and see how the new manager gets on.”

Meanwhile, Posh have recalled 21-year-old striker Ben Wright from his loan spell at Barnet.