Schoolboy errors must stop - boss

Steve Turnbull made an impressive appearance as substitute in Saturday's win over Chesterfield at Victoria Park.

And the teenager is likely to be on the bench at Brentford tonight, when Pool must improve their poor away form. They have suffered five defeats on the road this season, including heavy reverses at Milton Keynes and Luton in their last two outings.

Cooper admitted: "It was a schoolboy error which cost us a goal on Saturday and we have to stop it. We are making too many mistakes, especially away from home.

"Look at Luton - we were the better team and had the better chances for a long period of the game and we came away with a three-goal defeat.

"Some of our defending has been criminal and we are giving the opposition a lift.

"But Saturday was an important win for us because it comes before two tough away games in a week. Our away form has to be better and we all know it.''

Turnbull appeared as a second-half substitute on Saturday and never looked out of place as Pool stepped up a gear to find a winning goal.

Tony Sweeney's clincher came from Turnbull's shot and Cooper said: "Young Steve Turnbull came on against Chesterfield and looked well. He didn't waste a pass in the middle of the park and has been doing well in the reserves for us.

"Young Foley did well for the reserves of late, so we put him on the bench on Saturday. If they are doing well, they will be rewarded at this club.''

Steve isn't the only Turnbull at Victoria Park. Identical twin brother Phil is emerging from the youth team and Cooper admits the likeness has caused some confusion on the training ground.

"Steve was confident on Saturday and it was from his shot we won the game. He could have a bright future,'' said the Pool boss.

"But his brother is a good player as well. Steve trained with us last week and his brother was collecting the cones after training.

"I said 'you did really well out there, well done'. He looked at me strangely and Scotty (Martin Scott, assistant manager) shouts out 'It's his brother'. I honestly didn't realise!

"But he was composed on Saturday and that's what you ask for in a youngster when you give him an opportunity.''

Brentford manager Martin Allen has seen his casualty list lengthen after the loss of Sam Sodje to a head injury suffered during Saturday's draw at MK Dons. Ex-Chelsea Defender Andy Myers is ruled out through suspension after his sending-off. He is likely to be replaced at left back by youngster Karleigh Osborne.

* Darlington boss David Hodgson sees tonight's League Two clash at Notts County as a chance to rectify his side's defensive frailties and re-affirm their reputation as the division's shut-out experts.

Prior to Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Bury, Quakers had conceded the second fewest goals in League Two.

Indeed, injuries to first choice defenders Joey Hutchinson, Craig Liddle and Curtis Fleming had been glossed over with some fine displays over the last month.

But the trio were sorely missed at the weekend as individual errors cost Quakers dear.

A makeshift back-three - consisting of Joe Kendrick, Matt Clarke and Brian Close - were ran ragged by Bury and in particular, young striker Dave Nugent.

It was a slip from Kendrick which allowed Bury their second goal on Saturday and Hodgson admitted: "I lost count of the amount of suicidal balls our defenders played to midfielders.

"Our defenders did not give the ball to players on the flanks, that give us width and stretches teams. Instead passes were going into the middle to players not in a position to receive the ball which meant we put ourselves under pressure.

"I made a point to Joe Kendrick in the dressing room after the game. He lost the ball about five or six times against Bury.

"The mistakes were all silly little things that the players should deal with next time they're in the same position, such as the suicidal passes into midfield.

"The players should think about things more next time, show a bit more craft."

Read more about Hartlepool here.