Hartlepool United midfielder Nicky Featherstone on the subtle changes made by manager Dave Challinor that have helped fine run of form in front of goal

The average of three goals per game under the new manager is made even more impressive by the fact that six different players have all contributed at least two goals in that time.

Gime Toure has four, Gavan Holohan three and Luke James, Nicke Kabamba, Gus Mafuta and Nicky Featherstone have all found the net twice.

Featherstone scored in stunning fashion in Sunday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw at Exeter City and feels that simple messages from the manager have been the catalyst for the increased attacking potency being shown by the side.

“He’s told us he doesn’t want us to be safe, he wants us taking risks and attacking at pace,” said the 31-year-old.

“The message is for people to commit themselves forward and he's told us to express ourselves and as you can see by the stats, we’re capable of being a real threat going forward.

“There’s loads of goals in this team and a lot of team spirit.

“We seem to be scoring two, three or more over the last eight or nine games and it’s just important we don’t give ourselves too much to do.

“I didn’t know that Exeter hadn’t conceded at home since September so for us to score two against a side in the division above just shows how strong we are going forward and because of that we’re always in with a chance.”