BEN CLARK is doing his level best to prove to Hartlepool United fans that there may be life after Michael Nelson.

Nelson handed in a transfer request recently but remains a big part of Pool boss Neale Cooper's plans. The uncompromising defender has been a revelation at the heart of Cooper's backline since joining in the summer of 2003 and was a big factor in the club's rise to the play-offs last season.

But Nelson's future remains clouded and it will please Cooper that in Clark he now has someone who can continue to keep his side solid at the back.

Clark made his home debut in the 1-0 win over Port Vale on Saturday and built up a quick understanding with Chris Westwood in defence. The 21-year-old, a former England Under 19 captain, was tracked by Cooper for a few months before he persuaded Sunderland to part with the player two weeks ago.

And the Hartlepool boss was delighted to see Clark play his part in keeping a clean sheet at Victoria Park.

"Ben can play midfield, right-back or at centre-back, his versatility is a big plus and with Nelson out it was easy for me to pick the team," said Cooper. "Ben slotted in well alongside Chris.

"He looked comfortable. He has great feet and has great speed as well for a big man. What also pleased me was that it also seemed to have an effect on Chris. Chris looked relaxed and back to his usual self.

"He will have a determination to prove Sunderland wrong and that's what I want here."

l Hartlepool have been drawn at home to Lincoln in the first round of the FA Cup.

The full draw: Tiverton v Doncaster Wycombe v Liversedge/Coalville Town Hull v Morecambe Cheltenham v Swansea Boston Utd v Hornchurch Cambridge City v Leigh RMI Southend v Luton Mansfield v Colchester Hayes v Wrexham Yeading v Halesowen Barnet v Bath City Aldershot v Canvey Island Blackpool v Tamworth Billericay v Stevenage Slough Town v Walsall Darlington v Yeovil Bury v Vauxhall Motors Hinckley Utd/Burton Albion v Torquay Worksop/Alfreton v Macclesfield Scunthorpe v Chesterfield Forest Green v Bournemouth Stafford Rangers v Chester Swindon v Sheff Wed Bristol City v Brentford Leyton Orient v Dag & Red Southport v Hereford Bristol Rovers v Carlisle Exeter v Grimsby Bradford v Rushden & D'monds Peterborough v Tranmere Notts County v Lymington/Woking Milton Keynes Dons v Lancaster City/Scarborough Thurrock v Oldham Northampton v Barnsley Histon v Shrewsbury Hartlepool v Lincoln City Rochdale v Oxford Stockport v Huddersfield Port Vale v Kidderminster Halifax/Leek Town v Cambridge Utd Matches to be played November 13th/14th.

Read more about Hartlepool here.