Pools are in need of Muir in front of goal

He’s still waiting, not for his team to do well as they have lost only once in 11 games this season, but to relax in the dug out. That ruthless nature, the ability and desire to finish the opposition off isn’t quite there yet for Hartlepool United.

Unbeaten away from home since March 6, Pools have dropped enough points already this season at the Super 6 Stadium.

After losing to Ebbsfleet, they have drawn with Harrogate, Barrow and now Eastleigh. Six points from those draws – and they could easily have won them all – would have them top of the National League.

Perhaps it is a sign of the quality at the club this time out and the stability which comes off the field that they are a tad disappointed to be in sixth, five points shy of the leaders.

They were in front on Saturday, Niko Muir’s tap-in giving them a first-half lead. They couldn’t find a second before the break.

The visitors tweaked things. Their first-half five-man back line, supplemented by three midfielders in front, was hard to break down.

And Pools came under a bit of pressure, conceding a 71st minute leveller, to the delight of the 15 visiting fans.

To their credit, Pools came back strongly after the goal and went close to winning it.

But they were again left to rue what might have been.

Eastleigh travelled on the back of four games without a goal, they changed formation to frustrate Pools. As long as they were level or only one down they were always in contention.

Scott Loach made a fine low save from a rare Spitfires’ attack, but when Ryan Donaldson was afforded space on the right, he picked out Muir to tap in.

Liam Noble was denied a second, a loose finish meant he bobbled a finish into keeper Graham Stack.

Donaldson was forced off with a hamstring injury and Pools missed his drive going forward.

Bates hopes he’s not going to be out for long.

“Our goal was well-worked,’’ said the manager. “A great pass to Ryan, who was magnificent until he came off, and Niko was right place, right time.

“Ryan has a tear in his hamstring, but we don’t know the extent of it – at least two weeks we would think.

“It’s part of football injuries, so this should be a doddle for him after last season.’’

Bates added: “I felt we were unlucky not to win. First-half, I keep saying it, we should have had them dead and buried.

“I was disappointed second half as we never really got going – until they equalised.

“Liam had chances, he could have had a few.

“We are still unbeaten and want to keep going, one defeat in 11. We are happy with that, but disappointed with the performance. We need wins and draws away from home and keep ticking those points off.

“We are still creating chances, we want more goals of course. It’s sometimes how it works, it’s not concerning me, we have 13 in 11 games and we want more and keep doing what we are going and we will get more goals.’’

James and Muir cannot be faulted for their efforts, endeavour and honesty. Muir’s touches and ability to bring others into play is first rate, while James would chase a crisp packet along Clarence Road if he thought it would give him a chance on goal.

At times, however, the pair are doing the creative job outside the area rather than getting in there.

Carl Magnay, again solid in the middle of the back three, admitted: “I was delighted for Niko and I told him when he scored that he deserved it, his all round play is different class and he brings players into the game. We have so many chances and efforts on goal because of that. Players coming onto things is down to him. It’s difficult for Niko as he’s more of a footballing striker and it’s difficult to do both – link play and be on the end of things in the area.

“Over the course of the season he will have a good tally and we were all delighted for him to score.’’

He added: “We feel that with the football we have played we should be the top team. We haven’t played everyone yet and there’s games to come which will give us a barometer of where we feel we should be.

“We feel that we could win the league, but we have to be more ruthless and have a tenacious streak in the box, which isn’t just there yet. We have to start pulling away from teams. Yes, we are on a long unbeaten run but we need three points not one.

“Harrogate are at the top and we want to catch them and get there. It’s no good drawing games, when they are winning so we have to win. We have set high standards and the reality is more wins are needed when we are on top of games.’’