Hartlepool can '˜batter' Maidenhead if they stay positive, says Niko Muir

That’s the view of striker Niko Muir after an encouraging performance in their 1-1 draw with Braintree Town on Tuesday night.

The evening ended in heartache for Pools as an injury-time equaliser by Mohamed Bettamer gave the home side an undeserved point at Cressing Road.

Muir had given Matthew Bates’ side the lead in the first half as Pools played some of their best football for a couple of seasons.

And the impressive forward believes they will be a force to be reckoned with in the National League once they start converting their fine approach play.

“The first 45 minutes it could have been three or four nil,” Muir said.

“We missed a pen, I scored, Woodsy had a chance to score and in another game the result would have been gone already.

“We created a lot of chances which is good but we need to start converting the chances and when we do, we will be able to enjoy the game.

“We have got to keep going as a team, everyone positive, keep our heads down, work hard and then when Saturday comes, batter them (Maidenhead) convincingly by finishing our chances.”

The result on Tuesday meant Pools have yet to record a victory this season, and sit in the bottom third of the National League table with three points from their first four games.

After conceding a late leveller against Harrogate last week, Muir says Pools should have learned from their past mistakes to clinch all three points at Braintree.

However, he says there is no need for despondency and that the players must stay positive.

“They (Braintree) didn’t really create much,” he added.

“I think that was their first shot which is frustrating that it happened again.

“We should have learned from Harrogate but now we just have to keep going. We need positive thinking and a positive mind.”