Hartlepool United's shambolic season continues after 4-1 defeat at Scunthorpe United

Hartlepool United’s shambolic start to the National League season continued on Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 thrashing at Scunthorpe United.

Talk at The Vic in the summer was of a promotion push at Pools but given the current form it’s the other end of the table they find themselves battling in with the club in desperate need of a new manager or head coach. Lee Clark resigned last week and caretaker bosses Gary Liddle and Adam Clayton took charge at Scunthorpe.

Yet it ended in another defeat for Pools, who find themselves in the bottom four of the National League - 21st in the league table. Pools have now lost SEVEN of their opening 10 league games, with just three wins. Owner Landon Smith is in the North East this week, with Pools playing Harrogate Town on Tuesday night and he needs to quickly get a grip on his club if they are to turn the season around with questions to be asked of the players, coaching staff and Bromby & Partners who are overseeing football matters at the club.

Scunthorpe returned to winning ways in the National League as they came from a goal down to thrash fellow-strugglers Hartlepool 4-1.

The visitors went ahead after 27 minutes through Will Harris, who ran on to a through ball from Cole Deeming before firing into the net. However, the away celebrations were short lived as Pat Jones got Scunthorpe back on level terms just three minutes later with a finish into the far corner.

Debutant James Norwood then put the Iron in front before the interval with a well-timed header, and the lead was further stretched three minutes into the second half when Norwood turned provider for Kyle Hurst to tuck the ball home.

Hartlepool were struggling to make their presence felt and Scunthorpe added a fourth in the 68th minute, with Hugh Parker planting a header beyond the reach of goalkeeper Nathan Fisher.