Lee Clark has challenged Hartlepool United to build on their defensive strength by becoming more clinical when they travel to Kidderminster Harriers on Friday night.

Pools head to Aggborough with renewed confidence following last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Woking at Victoria Park.

Chris Popov’s first goal for the Club secured all three points and brought an end to a run of three successive defeats in the Enterprise National League.

Clark was delighted with the response from his players after a difficult period but believes their performance deserved a more comfortable margin of victory.

“It had been a tough ten days with the three defeats and we were obviously hurting from those results,” said Clark.

“Thankfully, it didn’t derail us too much. The lads got us back on track and I was really happy for them because the victory was the least they deserved.

“It ended up being a hard-fought win, but when I watched the game back, we could have been out of sight.

“We created some great opportunities through some really good work. The focus this week has been on making sure we are more clinical when those chances arrive.”

Pools had several opportunities to extend their advantage against Woking but were unable to find the second goal which would have placed the result beyond doubt.

The visitors were subsequently presented with a late chance to equalise, only to send the final effort of the game wide.

Clark has intensified his side’s work inside the penalty area as he looks to ensure their encouraging approach play is rewarded more consistently.

“We have been working on it throughout pre-season and since the campaign began,” he explained.

“When you are only leading 1-0, you are living on a knife edge, particularly when the opposition has a chance with the last kick of the game.

“If you take more of your opportunities and build a bigger lead, it becomes less stressful towards the end.

“We have intensified the work inside the box and in the final third. We have looked at our movement and what we want from those situations to give the players greater confidence when the opportunities come.”

While Clark is demanding improvement in front of goal, Pools have established one of the strongest defensive records in the division.

They have conceded only four goals across their opening six league fixtures and recorded clean sheets against Barrow, Aldershot Town and Woking.

The Pools Head Coach believes that resilience reflects the collective effort being made throughout the team.

“That is a real positive for us,” he continued. “We have kept three clean sheets in six matches and have the joint-best defensive record in the league.

“Everyone is contributing to that. The work ethic and pressing start with the forwards, continue through the midfield and then into the defence.

“We have also defended set plays and long throws well. We conceded from one at Sutton, but it feels as though we have faced a long throw in every game.

“The defensive side has been really good. If we can add more goals at the other end, our work without the ball will give us a great chance of winning matches.

“That is the message to the players. We have to take our opportunities, be clinical and be ruthless when those decisive moments arrive.”

Kidderminster have made an encouraging start following their promotion to the National League.

After suffering an opening-day defeat at Hornchurch, Paul Wotton’s side have put together a five-match unbeaten run which includes victories over Eastleigh, Southend United and Wealdstone.

They produced their most impressive result of the season at Wealdstone last weekend, securing a 4-1 victory despite playing for more than an hour with ten men.

Lewis Walker scored twice, with Callum Dolan and Cian Harries also on target during a clinical away performance.

Clark has studied Kidderminster’s recent displays and expects Pools to face a confident opponent at Aggborough.

“They have had a great start,” he said. “I have watched their last couple of games and to win 4-1 away from home after going down to ten men after around half an hour was really impressive.

“Winning by that scoreline away from home is an excellent result in any circumstances, but particularly when you have played for so long with ten men.

“They had four attempts on target and scored all four, so that shows how clinical they were.

“We are expecting a really tough match. They have started the season well, but we are going there with confidence and momentum following our win.

“The players are in good spirits and we are looking forward to what should be an exciting game.”

Pools have also received a welcome fitness boost with Owen Hampson returning to full training.

The summer signing had made a strong impression during the opening days of pre-season before suffering the injury which has kept him out of the opening weeks of the campaign.

“I was absolutely delighted to see Owen back with the group and to see the smile on his face,” said Clark.

“It has been a tough period for him because he started pre-season really well. He looked extremely fit and ready to make a big contribution before he picked up the injury.

“He has stepped up his work and completed a full session with the group on Tuesday.

“We will now look to arrange some behind-closed-doors or under-21 fixtures so he can build his match minutes because he missed his pre-season work. Having him back on the grass is a real boost.”

Goalkeeper Max Merrick, however, is expected to be unavailable for approximately six weeks after suffering a thigh tear during the victory over Woking.

The Chelsea loanee was forced off during the first half at Victoria Park, with Nathan Fisher coming from the bench to help Pools secure their third clean sheet of the season.

“We have had the news from Chelsea that Max has a tear in his thigh, so he is going to be out for around six weeks,” Clark confirmed.