FOLLOWING six successive first-team defeats, Hartlepool United’s outlook darkened yesterday – when the club’s reserve side conceded an unprecedented ten goals.

Pools’ second-string, under the control of John Hewitston, lost 10-2 to Notts County. They shipped six in the first-half, and that was after taking a first-minute lead through Scott Fenwick. Kudos Oyenuga netted Pools’ other goal with the last kick of the game.

Defender Harry Worley went off injured midway through the first-half, while they also fielded four tralists.

Kingsley Williams went off with a shoulder injury after 30 minutes, left-back Leon Dawson, Barnsley midfielder Brad Abbott and Nicholas Bucco, an Australian striker.

Another Pools’ side, made up mainly of youth teamers and midfielders Keiran Green and Ebby Nelson-Addy, will take on Darlington RA in the Durham Challenge Cup this evening.

Ronnie Moore’s League Two side take on Cambridge at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Their latest defeat came at Exeter last weekend, when they conceded in injury time to lose 1-0.

Moore last week signed right-back Brad Halliday on loan from Middlesbrough and was impressed with him.

“We had a lot of good performances and Rhys Oates was one of them, they could not handle him and he’s developing into a really good player.

“Young Brad Halliday did well at right-back and was solid and, hand on heart, I couldn’t see a goal coming.

“Rhys was bright and he is quick and strong, very direct and should have scored.

“Halliday was quick, got forward and I was pleased. I can’t criticise anyone. We stick together, we believe and we start again next time.

“Next time against Cambridge will be different – long balls bombed in for flick-ons and the like, we have to be prepared to defend long balls. Sometimes you have to be different and we looked like doing a job at Exeter.’’

Moore was also happy with the performance of Matthew Bates. He moved from defence to a deep-lying midfield spot and the manager said: “Matthew knows the game, he can play there, he can play centre-half. We knew Ryan Harley was their best player, but he sat in there and stopped him from playing.

“Nicky Featherstone complimented him well. We were unlucky not to get anything, we did a good defensive job there.‘’