Dave Challinor reveals pre-match motivator as Hartlepool United go nine unbeaten with 1-0 win over Woking at Victoria Park

Pools made it nine unbeaten in the National League with a 1-0 win over The Cards thanks to Rhys Oates’ late strike.

But the Hartlepool boss felt his side should have had the points wrapped up in the first half.

“We had a few wrongs to right from last time,” Challinor said.

“It could have easily been a frustrating afternoon but we come out the right side of the fine margins and got the three points today. We more than merited our three points.

“They came with a desire to press and we started really well and played through it. We had really good opportunities and had to score in the first half and that's where we should have won the game.

“They then went deeper and more organised and tried to frustrate us. We then wait for an opportunity and then Oatesy scores the most difficult chance we have to win us it. It's three points and it puts us into a better position.”

Before the match, Challinor decorated the Pools dressing room with newspaper clippings following the 3-0 defeat at Woking back in December as a means of motivation.

“I made sure that defeat was in their minds,” Challinor added.

“I had all the quotes that were put in the newspaper slaughtering the players up in our dressing room so I made sure it was in their heads before the game.

"I gave the option to the players to have a look and read what people thought. I’m sure every single one of them read it.

“They’re an honest group and they don’t mean not to be good at times. The two bad performances that stood out in terms of Woking away and Torquay at home have been righted with wins in the reverse fixture.

"We have ambitions and expectations and we've enhanced that. The margins are fine. It's nine unbeaten and we'll try to make it 10 unbeaten on Tuesday at Dagenham.”

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