We should have scored more goals, says Challinor
HARTLEPOOL boss Dave Challinor insisted the only disappointment with his side’s win over Barnet was that the scoreline did not reflect their supremacy.
Luke Armstrong scored the only goal of the game in the first half as Pools dominated the visitors for much of the 90 minutes at Victoria Park.
“I’m delighted to win,” said Challinor. “I’m really happy with our performance with the only disappointment being we didn’t score more goals – hopefully we’ve saved them for another day when we might need them.
“We were pretty comfortable throughout,” he added. “But on the flip side we’ve not made [Scott] Loach make enough saves or make him pick the ball out of his net enough and that’s the tiny criticism of our last two performances – we’ve done enough to take six points and score more goals.”
It called for Challinor to challenge his team to step up and make sure their dominance is converted to goals in games going forward.
“I’d be more concerned if we weren’t creating the chances but people need to take more responsibility and step up. We’ve got enough quality to score more goals.
“Any player in the top half of the pitch, including the wingbacks, needs to contribute towards scoring goals. We need to do a little bit more and ask more questions.”
The win was Hartlepool’s eighth in a row at Victoria Park, a run which stretches back to the beginning of December and has contributed to the side’s position in the National League table and is one Challinor is keen to restore.
“It’s an amazing record. It creeps up on you without you really knowing without the supporters being here but to win eight games at Victoria Park is a huge achievement and hopefully there’ll be a ninth.”
The Pools boss went on to praise his star striker Armstrong who once again delivered for his team with his ninth goal of the season since signing in December.
“I’m certainly not bored talking about him,” he joked.
“He makes it look a lot easier than what it is. He’s a quiet lad who works his socks off and he wants to finish, score goals and work hard and for a young player he’s a great example of what you need to do.”
SKY Bet League One leaders Peterborough left it late to come from behind and beat Wigan 2-1, extending their lead at the top of the table.
Thelo Aasgaard put the Latics ahead 18 minutes from time but that sparked Posh into life.
Jonson Clarke-harris levelled with eight minutes remaining and then hit the winner from the spot after Funso Ojo had brought down Siriki Dembele.
Lincoln lost ground after they slipped to a last-gasp 4-3 defeat to Plymouth.
Kelland Watts and Danny Mayor had put the Pilgrims in control within 13 minutes but the Imps rallied and Conor Mcgrandles got them back into the game going into half-time.
Jorge Grant then converted a pair of penalties after the interval to put the Imps ahead but Joe Edwards’ stoppage-time strike secured the points for Plymouth.
Hull kept the pressure on with a comfortable 3-0 win at relegationthreatened AFC Wimbledon.
Josh Magennis put the Tigers ahead from the spot in the 24th minute and Reece Burke doubled the advantage a minute before the interval.
Mallik Wilks then stroked home a 64th-minute penalty to wrap up the points.
Sean Raggett put Portsmouth ahead against Gillingham but Vadaine Oliver’s leveller meant they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Ipswich moved within two points of the play-offs as Alan Judge and James Norwood gave them a 2-1 win over Doncaster.
Accrington and Fleetwood had to settle for a 1-1 draw, as did MK Dons and Oxford.
Jerry Yates scored a pair of penalties as Blackpool coasted to a 3-0 win at Charlton.
In the survival battle, Brett Pitman headed the winner to earn Swindon a priceless 2-1 win over Northampton, while Kane Hemmings and Lucas Akins saw Burton to a 2-0 win at Rochdale.
Bristol Rovers pulled two points clear of the relegation zone after a 2-1 win over Shrewsbury.