ALAN TATE last night signed for League of Wales side Port Talbot, leaving Hartlepool United boss Ronnie Moore still seeking an experienced centre-half.

The County Durham-born defender has been without a club since leaving Swansea and has spent the last fortnight training with Pools, playing in two reserve games.

With loan signing Magnus Okuonghae hobbling off injured last weekend at Wimbledon and unlikely to be given permission by Luton to play in the FA Cup this weekend, Moore is seeking to bolster his ranks.

Scott Harrison will be back from suspension for the Cheltenham tie, and will seemingly pair up at the back with Matthew Bates, who was Pools’ top defender at the weekend.

Tait seemed to be a viable option, although Moore hinted last week he wasn’t yet convinced.

He said on Thursday: "He's come in but he's played very little football and it takes time when you have not been very active.

"It's food for thought for me. I need to sit and analyse what we've seen and whether it's been good enough to play at this level.’’

Tait, 33, however, has long been settled with his family in South Wales and staying close to home will suit him.

Pools have struggled since a glorious four-game winning run to open the season and face a difficult FA Cup tie at the weekend.

It could be difficult to make loan signings this week with clubs wary of allowing players to be cup-tied in the competition.

Reflecting on the weekend defeat, Moore admitted: “It was frustrating because it’s the same things week in, week out and the penny doesn’t drop. Mags coming off didn’t help, but Batesy did well – he’s defended and headed it away and he’s lost a tooth from a smack in the face.

“Every time the ball went up front it didn’t’ stuck and came back. The only time it stuck was when Scotty Fenwick came on and then we had one or two little efforts and openings. If it doesn’t stick then the pitch becomes too big.

“Trevor Carson is a good keeper, we know that, but the last 25 minutes of the first-half was as poor as we have been. The fans come here, waiting for something to happen. I pick the side and put them out there, but they’ve got to respond.

“You could say we need eight new players, but it’s not about that. It’s about having a leader, getting the belief back in them and sorting it out up top.

“The lack of movement and hold up play up top was the most disappointing thing – it was coming back too quickly, too easily and they are a strong side, so don’t’ give away free-kicks.

“There’s no energy at the moment, we were running on empty in a lot of areas.’’

Pools have only two draws on their record this season, and the open nature of their performances is a concern.

On Saturday, Dons boss Neal Ardley admitted: “The gulf between the teams was as big as I could possibly see in League Two, and it could easily have been four or five.’’

Moore bemoaned: "We don't seem to be able to nail any draws. We seem to win or lose, we need draws too because those points carry you into a decent position.

"That's what we've got to learn.

"We'd like to improve in every area but we have to look to improve the places where we are a little weakish.

"An added body in there would be great, whether that's someone with a bit of steel to smash people about or someone more attacking minded.

"We've put the feelers out and sooner or later we'll have one."

Pools have reduced admission to £10 and £5 for the FA Cup tie. Season ticket holders have until 4pm tomorrow to keep their seat.