FOLLOWING back to back home victories, Lewis Alessandra admits it’s time for Hartlepool United to perform on the road.

Pools beat Crewe and Exeter at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium in the last week, netting seven goals in claiming six welcome points.

Alessandra bagged four of those goals, scoring twice in each match.

But Pools are without an away win since the start of October when they triumphed 3-0 at Grimsby.

Successive away games are in the next week at Notts County – one of the three teams below Pools in the table – and Cambridge.

They need to end their 12-game winless streak and Alessandra admitted: "It's something we need to address.

"These last two home games can help us change that, we're a young side so confidence is a massive thing, so hopefully this can give us the spring board and give us the belief to know we can go and play.

"To know that we are a good team, no matter what the average age is, and start becoming a force away from home."

The attacker has dropped into a deeper role of late, performing in a midfield spot, with freedom to roam and support the attacks.

It’s worked to good effect and Alessandra, with eight goals for the season, said: "Until the last 10 minutes or so on Saturday I've played in the centre of midfield.

"You just find yourself arriving in areas a little bit later and facing the goal.

"If you are playing up there sometimes you are with your back to goal laying it off for other people.

"I think it's been a case of me having chances in games and maybe it's been poor finishing, which has happened before and been frustrating.

"I think it's maybe been a turn of luck, instead of being blocked and me missing the target, it's now going into the net which is nice.’’

Pools reserves yesterday beat York City 2-1 with goals from Jake Orrell and Connor Simpson to stay joint top of the table.

The Minstermen last week signed defender Derwin Martina until the end of the season, but he was released after playing against Pools’ second string when he was at fault for the winning goal.