IT hasn't been a bad week on the personal front for Jim Provett.

The Hartlepool United goalkeeper first picked up the award for the best save in North-East football last season - a stunning double block against Wycombe - and 24 hours later offered a fresh number of offerings for the 2004-5 honour.

Pool were knocked out of the Carling Cup at Crystal Palace, going down in extra time, but Provett kept the Premiership side at bay for long periods.

He took all the plaudits, with a string of wonder stops and admitted: "It was great week to get the award for the North-East Save of the Season. It caught me by complete suprise.

"I was presented with it on the bus when we met up to go to Crystal Palace and I had to jump off and leave it in my car.

"The lads would have hammered me if it was on the bus then in the hotel room!

"It was a real honour to get it. There's lots of good goalkeepers in the North-East and I would put it as the highlight of my career.''

Provett will be back on the team bus this morning as Pool head for Milton Keynes and tomorrow's game with the Dons.

Pool's away form has been patchy this season, but at Selhurst Park they gave the sort of performance which was the backbone of their season last campaign.

Neale Cooper's side have just one win on the road this season and Provett admitted: "I was very pleased, with my own performance at Crystal Palace. I don't know what it is with this competition, but it was the start of it all for me last season at Sheffield Wednesday.

"It's just a little disappointing we weren't celebrating this year, like we were then. We were so close, which makes it all the harder.

"Until they scored the late equaliser we seemed to be very comfortable and were playing well.

"After we scored, they had a few chances. But they are a Premiership side, so you expect them to have plenty of chances.

"But it was only late on when they got on top and I think the way we played showed just how far we have come as a club.

"We settled down well very early on and looked comfortable.

"But no-one here thinks they are too big for the team and everyone is in it together, which shows in games like this.

"We are a close and settled bunch of lads and we work hard for each other. That has never been in doubt and I can't speak highly enough of all the lads out there in front of me.''

* Mark Proctor last night backed Alun Armstrong to return to his best with Darlington.

The assistant boss believes Armstrong will improve with every game he plays after joining on a free transfer last week.

While Proctor admits the 29-year-old is still short of match fitness, he is confident the former Middlesbrough striker can resurrect his career after being released by Ipswich. Armstrong made his debut in the draw with Northampton on Saturday, where he came through the full 90 minutes.

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