HARTLEPOOL United’s potency in the attacking areas has been called into question once again as manager Graeme Lee was quick tell his players they need to do more with possession.  

Pools failed to score for the third league game in a row following tonight’s goalless draw with Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

They had chances in the game with the best one falling to David Ferguson who’s low shot inside the ball was saved onto the bar by the shins of keeper Mark Howard.

With just one win in their last eleven league games, it was a game Pools could ill afford to lose with Carlisle just two points below them in the table.

But a point on the road means Pools are now ten points above the League Two dropzone as they sit 17th in the table.

“A point and a clean sheet. You’re happy” said Lee.

“I didn’t question the lads work ethic off the ball. I think they worked hard for each other. I think we could have done a lot more in possession.

“I know we had a lot of the ball, we just didn’t capitalise or pass with a real purpose.

“They are a tough team. They haven’t conceded two goals in six games now. The new manager has come in and hard to be beat. We knew it was difficult to break them down. I just felt there was areas of the game where we could have capitalised a little bit better.

“When we did win the ball we didn’t look forward quick enough. Those are things we need to look at moving forward.

On a wet and windy night in Cumbria, both teams had to brave the elements playing on a skiddy surface at Brunton Park.

However, in the context of Pools lack of cutting edge in the attacking third, the Pools boss wasn’t offering up an excuses when it came to the weather.

Lee added: “The pitch was fantastic. There was a bit of wind and a bit of rain but it was still there for us to move the ball. We still had a lot of the ball.

“We just didn’t use the ball as well as we can.

“Two or three passes to draw them in then we should have moved it away from that area and we didn’t. We lacked a little bit of movement and a desire to run in behind just to stretch them a little bit, not so you get the ball but maybe somebody will get the ball in space. If you do get the ball then brilliant.

“We just lacked that real spark. That could be a reflection from Bristol Rovers. You could see we were all a bit body blowed from that game and from the performance that we put on.

“That’s why I went with the same team. Because of that performance, they deserved another crack at it. It’s about the character and how we reacted. Maybe it was on the minds and we were trying to be a bit too safe at times instead of capitalising on areas of the pitch.”

Up next for Pools is a game on home soil this weekend where they will host Stevenage at the Suit Direct Stadium.