TONY Sweeney doesn't mind if anyone wants to call Hartlepool United boring.

Saturday's goalless draw at Barnsley followed a similar result at Bristol City last week.

But, after going four months without a point on the road, the home-grown midfielder isn't complaining.

He said: "People might start to say we are becoming boring away from home now, that's two 0-0 draws in a week - but we would have taken a couple of those games when we were losing every away game.

"We've had a couple of good away results and now we have to keep the home form going.

"It's five games without defeat, so we are starting up a nice little run and it's good to be undefeated over Christmas and new year.

"Barnsley was a good draw and it's vital we build on that.

"Monday at home to Milton Keynes Dons is vital for us. We have to keep winning at home and keeping up the pressure at the top.''

Oakwell had torrential downpours both before and during the game and, coupled with a swirling wind, made playing football a tricky task.

Sweeney added: "I've never played in conditions like that for a long, long time. It was very hard to play in.

"It probably helped us more in the second-half than hindered us, we had to try and get the ball behind their defenders and turn them.

"But it is all about the quality of the ball coming in. Sometimes it can run out of play if it's hit too strong, but when there's a quality ball you can cause them all sorts of problems and we did at times.''

Sweeney's midfield partner Mark Tinkler was full of praise for his defenders after Saturday's point.

Pool sit in seventh spot ahead of this afternoon's game with MK Dons at Victoria Park and Tinkler said: "It was a good point away from home and kept our little unbeaten run going.

"The lads at the back defended outstandingly again and the lads in midfield and up-front did their bit as well. It was a good all-round effort.

"They are a good side with some good players, it wasn't that long ago since they were playing in the Premiership.

"They also have a good manager in Paul Hart who I know well from Leeds.

"We worked our socks off once again and got another good point in terrible conditions.''

Newcastle striker Michael Chopra was a substitute, as well as former Pool loanee Chris Shuker and Tinkler admitted: "It was good to see those two on the bench, I was quite surprised when I found out they were not playing as they have been doing well for Barnsley.

"But they had the likes of (Daniel) Nardiello and Big Baz (Conlon) to come in, who are equally as good players.

"But I thought Chris Westwood and Micky Nelson dealt with them well."

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