RONNIE MOORE accepts trying to boost his Hartlepool United squad is proving a tough task.

Two weeks after landing three loan signings, the Pools boss has suffered plenty of frustration in his attempts to add to his ranks.

New signings are desperately needed at Pools and Moore is keen on two loan signings, in central defence and up front.

But, asked if he was close to a breakthrough, he admitted: "Not really.

"At this moment teams are umming an aahing about letting players out and players are umming and ahhing about coming.

"It maybe we have to get more kids.

"But we don't need kids at this moment in time, we need men who know what the game is all about.

"It is very difficult finding them though and I don't want to just rush in and take a couple of young kids and leave ourselves wide open when a couple of older lads show their hand.

"It is a matter of keep the balls going and up in the air and not diving in.

"There is no doubt though that it is really difficult.’’

Midfielder Michael Woods admitted his frustration at the outcome.

He said: “We gave them a lift with the opening goal, the crowd got behind them and they went on from there.

“It’s been the story of our season – inconsistency. We need to get 70-80 minutes on the spin and need to take our chances when on top.

“These are one of the best sides in the league, we won’t come across a stronger team like this. First-half we had three or four really good chances.

“It’s difficult for us all and look where we are. The gaffer has said he wants to bring one or two more new players in, but we have to be more ruthless in both boxes.

“We could have been in front and there wasn’t much in it. If we get that 70-80 minutes then we can win games. We had chances, first-half their keeper made good saves, but we have to start taking them.

“We didn’t build on last week which is massively disappointing.’’