TWO goals against Middlesbrough last week meant Neale Cooper couldn't leave Joel Porter out of his Hartlepool United side.

The Australian international striker impressed as a substitute in the FA Cup defeat at Sunderland and then bagged two goals in a 5-0 reserve game with Boro in midweek.

He continued his good form on Saturday as he pestered the Peterborough defence and gave his best display since signing for Pool on a short-term contract.

Cooper hinted the striker is likely to be offered a longer deal in the near future and admitted: "He did well at Sunderland and was different class against Middlesbrough during the week.

"I had to play him on Saturday after that performance. I was pleased with him again. Hopefully he will stay a bit longer, we'll see what happens.''

And Cooper had double cause for delight on Saturday - Chris Shuker gave a man-of-the-match display after agreeing to extend his stay at Victoria Park.

"He gives us something different and the crowd have really taken to him,'' said the Pool boss. "He works hard as well, which is what the Hartlepool crowd like to see, he tackles and runs at people and was unlucky not to score a couple of times.

"He put a couple of good balls in the danger area and it was a great through ball for the goal.

"He's a real Liverpool lad and the lads give him a bit of stick - it's in his nature to give it back just the same! But the fans like him and he gives us an option we haven't otherwise got.''

Posh boss Barry Fry moaned: "Hartlepool is always a hard place to come and their home record shows they are rarely beaten, but they will know they have been in a game because we battled very hard. However, we didn't get the little breaks and I am disappointed because of the chances we created.''

Meanwhile, Cooper admitted he is in the dark over Marcus Richardson's proposed move to Lincoln. His loan spell has expired, but the clubs have been unable to agree the terms of his permanent transfer.

"It's out of my hands now and I've told the Lincoln manager that,'' said Cooper.

Read more about Hartlepool here.