Ronnie Moore: Hartlepool striker search continues

Ronnie Moore has had chance to scout players with Pools not in action but has been unable to seal a deal

Hartlepool United are struggling to recruit a striker needed as cover for the injured Billy Paynter, says manager Ronnie Moore.

Moore's Pools side are the lowest scorers in the Football League, with just 20 goals in 21 games.

Paynter is their top scorer with six, with fellow strikers Scott Fenwick on three, Rakish Bingham on two and Kudus Oyenuga on one goal in the league.

"I've knocked at every door there is to knock at," Moore told BBC Tees.

"I've looked at 10-12 strikers, some of them don't want to come up this far, they're are at southern clubs so they want to stay where they are.

"We have two bids for players turned down and we're thinking about going back in with a better offer. We're trying."

Fenwick, although signed from Northern League side Dunston UTS before Moore's appointment, is a good example of the potential of players Pools are trying to source.

Jamie Vardy's emergence at Premier League side Leicester, having also come from a non-league background, is another encouragement to scour below the top four divisions for talent.

"There are one or two little gems out there, if you're lucky enough to fall onto one you really want," added Moore.

"We've put in a bid for someone at non-league level but unfortunately it's not been accepted at the moment."