Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper made his return to the Scottish Victoria Park and his old club Ross County last night as Pool continued their build up to the new campaign.

However, he must have been wishing he hadn't crossed the border as his side crashed 2-0 to the Scottish first division outfit.

It took just five minutes for the Highlanders to threaten Jim Provett's goal with a Rankin strike flashing wide.

But with 15 minutes gone winger Alex Burke latched onto a Gavin Strachan error and Steven McGarry cracked in the opener.

Pools' only real effort of the opening half fell to Mark Tinkler, but he was left with his head in his hands after his shot from the edge of the box was superbly blocked by Stuart Garden.

Provett was also in startling form at the other end denying McGarry with a trademark point blank stop from 12 yards.

Cooper's nightmare return was complete on 61 minutes when full back John Robertson knocked home a Cowie free-kick after losing his marker at the back post.

County had numerous chances to increase their advantage with only the post and Jack Ross' outstretched leg denying the home side a third.

Hartlepool (4-4-2): Provett, H.Robertson, Westwood, Nelson, Ross, Humphreys, Tinkler(Porter, 62), Strachan,(Sweeney, 45) Clarke, Williams, Boyd(Istead, 62).

* David Hodgson hopes to take a step closer to ending Darlington's search for a striker today.

The Quakers welcome League One side Blackpool to the New Stadium (kick-off 3pm) and manager Hodgson will hand two forwards the chance to impress.

Dutchman Chima Onyeike will make his third appearance for Darlington, while Ibrahima Ndrayi will become the latest triallist at the club.

Ndrayi has been playing for French side RC Lens and Hodgson is keen to take a look at him in a bid to to add firepower to his squad.

The Darlington manager only has Craig Russell and Leandro Scartascini on his playing staff who are recognised strikers and the need for a fresh face is becoming more and more pressing.

One player who looks like he will be on board by the start of the new campaign on August 14 is Argentinian Sebastien Ferrero. Ferrero scored in the 1-0 win over Bradford on Wednesday night.

Hodgson is known to have been impressed by the South American and he will give Ferrero another opportunity to shine against Pool.

Blackpool are likely to have Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor in goal today. The 22-year-is on trial with a view to a year-long loan from the Gers.

Blackpool, meanwhile, have confirmed that Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor is on trial with the club.

The 22-year-old shot-stopper has been given permission by Gers to talk to the Seasiders about the possibility of a one-year loan deal.

McGregor will have a chance to impress boss and former Rangers player Colin Hendry and if his trial is successful is expected to make the 12-month loan move.

He has made just six league starts for the Ibrox side and has spent the last two seasons as understudy to Stefan Klos.

l Mark Rivers has sealed his return to Crewe by signing a two-year deal at Gresty Road.

The 28-year-old put pen to paper yesterday, four years after leaving Crewe to join Norwich in a £500,000 deal.

Rivers said: ''I had no hesitation in signing, I didn't have any doubts at all."