Harrison: Hartlepool Getting Closer To Elusive First Victory

A draw at home to Chester last night was not the outcome the new Pools boss would have hoped for pre-match.

That's because his newcomers had been defeated by Dover and Maidenhead United in the build up, and also drew with Macclesfield in between.

But Harrison takes positives from Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Chester, which saw Jake Cassidy level the scores on 72 minutes at Victoria Park.

"I think tonight we’ve been unfortunate not to take three points,” he said.

“We started the game poorly and gave them a 1-0 advantage and whatever level you’re playing at the opposition are going to manage the game but we still created so many chances.

“We’ve hit the cross bar three times and their keeper has made three very good saves so it’s certainly the best we’ve performed by a long shot.

“Just speaking to the boys at the end of the game, we know we have to be more ruthless in their final third and our final third."

But manager Harrison told the club's website: “It was very encouraging tonight but I know what we’ve got and that is probably only 75% of what we’re capable of so we just need to keep going.

“Today was another step forward and although I think we’ve lost two points the performance gives us the platform to build on for Saturday.”

Hartlepool travel to Bromley this weekend and know Neil Smith's side have just put six goals past Leyton Orient - the other side relegated from the Football League in May.