LEON McSweeney has admitted his frustration at not holding down a regular spot in the Hartlepool United side – but now he has one he’s not going to give it up easily.

After starting the last two games, the attacker has responded with two goals, both matchwinning strikes against Plymouth and Bradford.

He will start tomorrow’s home game with Peterborough and admitted: “I’ve obviously felt very hard done by, but that’s football.

“You’ve just got to stay professional and when you get the opportunity, take it.

Mick’s (Wadsworth) been telling me I’ll get my chance and I got it on Saturday.

“Hopefully I’ve given him something to think about.

“I’ve made a habit of banging down his door and to be fair, he’s responded by putting me in the team. I think he’ll be delighted that I’ve backed up my words.’’ Wadsworth admitted after Tuesday’s win that the goals, last weekend’s strike from distance at Home Park especially, have brought a new confidence to McSweeney.

And he admits victories in the last week have been a boon to the whole squad.

“After a performance like that at Plymouth, it’s a massive boost to us and hopefully we can push on,’’ he said.

“It’s a catch 22 because away from home the system is better because teams have to come onto us.

“You can’t disguise poor defending.

But I think we take more risks at home and unfortunately this season we’ve been found out – we’ve been punished for silly mistakes.

“But hopefully Saturday will give us a platform to eradicate that from our game.

“We’ve got the makings of a good side – we said that last year, but those excuses won’t run anymore and we’ve got to start producing.’’ Wadsworth is tomorrow likely to revert to the same starting XI from last weekend after making changes for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win on Tuesday.