LIAM NOBLE won’t be taking any more penalties for Hartlepool United.

The midfielder and top scorer missed from the spot on Saturday, as Pools drew 1-1 with Leyton Orient – his third squandered effort of the season.

Noble’s penalty was saved by keeper Dean Brill. He missed one at Gateshead on Boxing Day and at Braintree in August.

After Josh Hawkes netted from 12 yards in the win over Braintree, he will now have the responsibility.

Boss Craig Hignett said: “Liam is off penalties now. Josh took the last one and scored, Liam is his own man and I wouldn’t knock anyone for taking a penalty. It takes bottle to take them. He hit the target. I will make him better at penalties. He came on and had an effect on the game, we have missed him when he’s been injured. It’s a headache for me to fit all these players in the team.’’

Noble was back in action on Saturday, replacing Luke Molyneux after 44 minutes with the Sunderland loanee forced off with a cut knee.

He said: “That’s me off the pens now, I’ve passed it up after missing a few. It’s down to one of the other lads now.

“I think the manager made the call, I’d always like to take them, but I’ve missed too many now so it’s someone else’s turn to take them.’’

Pools’ defender Myles Anderson needed dental treatment after being caught by a flailing arm in the closing stages.

Hignett added: “Myles lost a few teeth and it looked nasty, while Luke needed a cut on his knee gluing together They will be sore, but will settle down and a bit superficial.

“Players like playing games, not training. We have to consider the travelling between games to keep them fresh and we work on that now. They have set their own standards, set the level they can’t dip below and improve from.

“A lot of it was down to hard work and graft and we have more quality than we have showed.’’