Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor backs Claudio Ofosu to learn from mistake during Altrincham draw

The 22-year-old almost cost his side a point in injury time when he went to clear the ball from inside the penalty area but instead brought Joel Senior to the ground.

Thankfully for Ofosu and for Pools, Ben Killip was on hand to save Matty Kosylo’s spot-kick and preserve their unbeaten start to the season.

All in all, it proved to be a tough night for the former Stevenage youngster after coming on as a substitute but Challinor believes he will learn from it.

“That’ll be a good learning curve for Claudio,” Challinor said. “He’s a young lad who is really, really keen to learn. He did great in pre-season but this is a completely different level.

“He was disappointed to not be involved but what you need to do as a substitute is affect the game in a positive way.

“We lost our composure a bit through the frustration - there could be arguments to say Timi (Odusina) could have got a second yellow card, Ben Killip could have been sent off for a handball - not that I think it was.

“Claudio, unfortunately, lost his composure in the penalty area and conceded a penalty. Ben has saved his blushes if you like but he’ll learn from that - he has too.”

Another one of Challinor’s summer signings also had an impact on the game.

David Parkhouse, on loan from Sheffield United, netted his first league goal of the campaign from yet another David Ferguson assist.

He added: “It was probably the first time Fergy had got round the back of him to put a ball in and Parky’s a goalscorer. It was a good goal - the best bit of play we produced in the first-half.

“In fairness to Altrincham, they made it difficult for us but we’ve then got to adapt to what we do. Players need to learn to play the game, now just how we played it last week. Every game is a different game.”