A WEEK into September and the National League is already over a fifth of the way into its programme.

There’s been no let up for Hartlepool United so far this season, but Pools have responded well to the challenge. Today’s game at Solihull Moors is their tenth, and they have suffered only one defeat while Tuesday’s draw with Barrow ended a four-game winning streak.

Pools are sixth in the table, just three points off top spot. They aren’t reflecting on what might have been after dropping four points by conceding in the last minute of games.

One of those goals came against new leaders Harrogate Town and Bates said: “Solihull is a tough place to go, not easy and we expect a tough game again. They have started well and it’ll be a tough game and a good one.

“The league is competitive throughout, you see teams get promoted and they go again. They have the nucleus of the squad and it’s credit to Harrogate that they have started well – but so have we and so have others. We want to keep going and we want to keep picking up the points to make sure we are there or there abouts at the end of the season.’’

Bates has named the same starting XI for the last five games and been rewarded with 13 points from a possible 15. With plenty of options available to him, there’s scope for change every week.

He said: “I speak to players individually and as a group and see how they are all feeling, get feedback from them all. I felt on Saturday we looked a bit tired at times and I thought about changing it on Tuesday, but then I spoke to the lads and the squad and was Saturday partly down to the travelling and the heat?

“I think it was the right thing to do to keep the same team on the back of four wins, the lads started the game well and carried it on. They weren’t tired Tuesday, but Saturday was a one-off because of P

Pools were disappointed not to win at the Super 6 Stadium on Tuesday, although they had an escape when Barrow missed a penalty.

Conceding only eight goals in nine games has pleased the former centre-half.

“Like I said on Tuesday it was two points dropped,’’ he reflected. “In the grand scheme of things we have started the season well, one defeat in nine and unbeaten in five so we are happy with where we are at.

“We have a good defensive record and keeping another clean sheet pleases everyone. We defend a lot of everyone defensively – midfielders and strikers have a job to do as well.

“The strikers have scored, midfielders have scored and came up with assists – Ryan Donaldson is coming on along the right-hand side and the other night it just didn’t fall for us in front of goal. One of those days. We had chances and no-one can accuse us of not attacking the opposition.’’