Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor challenges strikers following just one National League goal ahead of clash at Eastleigh

Pools go into Saturday's National League match at Eastleigh having suffered back to back defeats for the first time since Dave Challinor took charge as manager one year ago.

The 5-0 defeat against Torquay United and 2-0 FA Cup first-round loss at Salford is also the first time the side have gone consecutive games without scoring since November 2018.

And with Challinor keen to address things and get back to winning ways, he has challenged his forward players to take charge and get amongst the goals.

Summer striker arrivals David Parkhouse, Rhys Oates and Mason Bloomfield have just league one goal between them after six matches.

“Last weekend was an opportunity for some of our players to put themselves in a position where we can’t leave them out at Eastleigh,” Challinor said.

"I think some have certainly done themselves a favour. We left Joe Grey out at Salford through no fault of his own but we felt we needed to go with experience.

“It’s competitive at the top end but the challenge to them is who is going to be the one who will go and get us goals because we judge them on their efficiency at the top end of the pitch.

"If I’m being critical, with the chances we’ve been creating we have to score more. It doesn’t have to just be one person but two or three who are scoring regularly for us, but at the minute they’re not.”

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