CHRIS Turner last night called on Hartlepool United fans to show their faith as his side sit uncomfortably at the wrong end of Division Three. Saturday's draw with Kidderminster leaves Pool just one point ahead of managerless Exeter, with six points from eight games.

But as his side prepare for tomorrow's trip to Lincoln, Turner is convinced his side can make an assault on the play-off places this season.

He said: "If we go on playing like that at home we'll win more than we lose.

"It's just frustrating that we're doing well and you look at the league table and we're near the bottom.

"The biggest disappointment for me is that after being here two and a half years, we've done so much for the club, and yet there are still some people ready to write you off or try and get you the sack.

"We're not a club that's been winning everything over the years and used to seeing success, and we've built it from the bottom upwards with the help of both Ken Hodcroft and IOR.

"We're not a million miles away from getting it right - OK the results haven't gone well, but we just need to pick up a couple of wins, get to mid-table and then we can launch an attack on the top.

"Leyton Orient and Darlington both had bad years after getting to the play-offs. I hope it won't happen to us, but we won't be the first team to go through it.''

He added: "The players are working hard, they haven't let their heads drop.

"We just need to get a couple of wins to make people think we have turned the corner.

"The frustrating thing for me is that we have got good players here and everyone wants to be top of the league every week. But I look at the club now and when I came here - the future is bright for this club long term.

"I know short term we need results and medium term we will get them

The crowd were appreciative because they saw action, work rate and quality.''

Turner's newest signing Gordon Watson put Pool in front on Saturday, and after a lively display Turner admitted he is hoping to keep the former Bradford, Charlton and Southampton front man at Victoria Park.

"I thought Gordon showed his quality.

"Some other day he could have had four or five goals. He got in the right areas and made things happen. He gave us another dimension.

"His goal was a super effort and you can see he will score goals.

"He has been unfortunate with his injury at Bradford but I'm hoping to keep him and maybe tempt him to stay.''

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