Climax to season promises plenty for in-form Pool

Eight games unbeaten, Pool are tucked up in fifth position in League One and, with their away malaise put to bed, Cooper's talk is justified.

In reaching the play-offs last season, Pool were ninth at this same stage of the 2003-4 campaign, having just lost 2-1 at home to Bristol City.

With Brian Tinnion's side visiting Victoria Park on Saturday, Pool could open up a healthy buffer between themselves and the chasing pack with victory.

Recent history during Pool's five-year period of success shows they also have a decent record of stepping things up as the season goes on.

In 1999, a strong period over Chrismas and the turn of the year pushed them from mid-table into the top six. A year later they lost only three times between December and the end of the season - which included a 21-game unbeaten stretch - to make the play-offs.

In 2002, Pool entered January in 13th spot and by May they were in the play-off places that mattered and last season's charge into sixth spot was down to nine wins from their last 15 games.

This win at Torquay, achieved after a woeful opening in which Pool started with three central defenders and improved only after reverting to type and a flat back four, brought the 14th point from a possible 18.

With such a strong base to build upon, the final 19 games of the season promise plenty.

Pool's home form has never been in question, it's their away form which has caused the problems this season.

But the run of eight successive reverses has well and truly been put to bed with wins at Wrexham and Torquay and draws at Bristol City and Barnsley.

During a run which has seen his side score 17 times, big goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos has conceded only four.

And the towering Greek can identify the reasons why Pool have changed their travelling fortunes - or misfortunes as it was - around.

"It was tough, but we are now starting to show the character we have in our home games in away games as well,'' said the former Greek under-21 custodian.

"We have played well in some games but it hasn't gone for us. Torquay were up for it, but they are at the bottom and need to win games so they will be.

"This was a good win for us. We didn't start very well, but we had to change things because of injury. The lads at the back, especially (Micky) Nelson and Westy (Chris Westwood) have done brilliantly again.

"And Ben Clark looked good. The good thing about him is that he can hit with both legs, he can use left and he can use right, so playing there was good for him.

"Our away form is getting better and better. I am enjoying everything at the moment. It is a good team to play in and a good defence to play behind.

"They make things look easy at times because they are a very good unit. The central defenders are unbelieveable and at the moment I think they are the best in the league.

"It is good for me that they play like that and keep doing it. They have great confidence and a great understanding.''

He added: "We have gone eight games now without losing and we are the team on form.

"At half-time the gaffer told us that we needed to show the sort of character that we have for home games and I think we did it.''

Konstantopoulos was beaten once, when Jo Kuffour - a late change to the teamsheet after Craig Woodman went cold in the warm-up - shrugged off Jack Ross and tapped into the bottom corner.

Pool's keeper claimed it was scored by foul means. "Their goal was handball, his second touch was with his hand, but these things happen because the referee didn't have a clear view of it,'' he insisted.

But the Ross and Konstantopoulos double act wouldn't be beaten again late on.

Ade Akinfenwa broke into the box and, as the keeper quickly closed him down, the ball spun up off his legs and was dropping under the bar before ever-alert Ross chased back to nod off the line.

"I closed him down and I would have been gutted if it had gone in, but I think Jack Ross did well to get behind to get it off the line,'' added Konstantopoulos. "We had just gone in the lead so we had to keep them out at that time.''

If, as expected, Ross completes his return to Scotland and signs for Falkirk after Wednesday's FA Cup replay at Boston, he will be missed.

The Scot is playing his best football for Pool. And he played his part in Pool getting on top.

Adam Boyd mesmerised the home defence once again, fed Joel Porter and the Australian confidently skipped around Gulls' keeper Ola Gottskalksson to roll the ball into the net.

Back in the game, Pool's pressure paid off with a quick second. Ross crossed into the six yard box from the right and Tony Sweeney planted his firm header into the far corner.

Sweeney and Porter have now bagged ten goals apiece this season. Neither had scored away from Victoria Park this season until notching in the win at Wrexham last month, now their efforts turned the same on its head.

Pool should have been level in the first-half. Defender Craig Taylor handled and Mark Tinkler took the ball for the penalty.

Boyd, despite his late miss the previous week, wanted it - his outstretched arms and look of bewilderment aimed at the bench said it all.

But no-one was more bewildered than Tinkler when his effort hit the inside of the post, rolled along the line, and clipped the heels of the unaware keeper before being cleared.

Pool have now missed four penalties this season - Boyd twice, Porter and now Tinkler - and they must hope Wednesday's game doesn't go to a shoot-out.

Result: Torquay United 1 Hartlepool United 2.

Read more about Hartlepool here.