HARTLEPOOL United manager Chris Turner last night called for patience as his side aim to find a winning formula at home.

Pool have yet to win at Victoria Park this season and Saturday's draw at Southend was just their fifth point of the campaign.

But the signs at Roots Hall were that Pool are back on track and tonight's game with Cheltenham and Saturday's with Kidderminster give Turner's side the chance to claw back some points on the leading pack.

However, with the Victoria Park faithful notoriously restless, Turner is hoping they can take a leaf out of Southend's book.

Pool dominated at Roots Hall, but the home fans never turned on their side and Turner said: "Their crowd kept behind them and that's what we need from our own fans.

"But if they get behind us then I'm sure things will come good. We've got back to back home games this week and it is an opportunity to hopefully get some points on the board.

"It's been difficult for us with three games on the road, it's always a bit harder away from home. Now we need some wins to keep us going - but it's not going to be easy.''

While performances have improved, Pool are still struggling to find the goal - they've only netted one in their last four outings.

"I feel that if we can score a goal then we will start winning games,'' said Turner. "It's just not going for us in front of goal - Mark Tinkler smashed one and their keeper saved it with his legs. We played well and looked dangerous on the break; it's getting better, a step on from the last few games, the obvious thing is that we are not scoring goals.

"Ritchie Humphreys could have had one after a few seconds, but he linked up well with Kevin Henderson. Partnerships either happen overnight or sometimes they take time, but they worked well together and Ritchie had a better game on Saturday.''

Pool's second string yesterday went down 3-0 to Leeds reserves at the Premiership club's training ground near Wetherby.

Alan Maybury, Jon Woodgate and a Gordon Simms own goal sunk Pool, who gave Middlesbrough's Anthony Ormerod a run out along with former Wrexham defender Emad Bouanane. Ormerod impressed, but Turner won't be inviting the Frenchman back.

l Admission to the Town End terrace is by ticket only as the Mill House Stand is closed as building work continues. Fans can pay on the gate for the Cyril Knowles Stand.

Pool (from): Williams, Bass, Sharp, Lee, Robinson, Stephenson, Widdington, Tinkler, Clarke, Henderson, Humphreys, Hollund, Lormor, Easter, Simms, Clark, Westwood, Arnison.

Bolton Wanderers have signed former Rangers striker Rod Wallace on a contract until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old completed the usual medical checks early yesterday before putting pen to paper on the short-term deal.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said: ''Rod will be a great addition to the Wanderers squad. He is a strong, experienced player who will further strengthen the team.''

Wallace began his career at Southampton where he played alongside brothers Danny and Ray, before joining Leeds United in June 1991 in a £1.6m deal.

He was part of the Yorkshire side's championship-winning side of 1992 and enjoyed a largely successful time at Elland Road before joining Rangers in July 1998.

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