ANDY Dibble makes a return to Victoria Park tonight, almost a year after his last visit led to Football Association charges, writes Nick Loughlin.

The well-travelled former Hartlepool United goalkeeper was fined in February after abusing Pool supporters when he conceded four goals in Wrexham's 4-3 defeat last season.

Dibble gestured angrily to the Town End at the end of the game on October 19 after he was taunted by fans. An FA panel was set up to investigate events and fined the veteran keeper. Despite Pool being among his many former clubs, his time under Chris Turner was never a happy one.

His previous start at Victoria Park also saw him concede four - but that was in a Pool shirt against Macclesfield in February 2000. Last season Mark Tinkler rattled a spectacular hat-trick to leave the 38-year-old keeper fuming. But he kept a clean sheet as Pool gave an inept show in the return game in March and was on top form on Saturday, according to his boss Denis Smith.

Dibble played his part in Wrexham's 2-1 win at Tranmere and ex-Sunderland chief Smith admitted: "I thought he played well last season.

"But this term, when called upon, he's looked even better. I know he likes a glass of wine, and just like good wine he's getting better as he gets older.

"I'm delighted for him because he's been such a massive influence since he came into the club, in the dressing room and around the place.

"He's such a pleasant lad that you want him to do well and to succeed. You're always wondering when the time comes to pull the plug on a career and I'm glad I didn't do it last summer."

Pool boss Neale Cooper knows his strikers will have to improve on Saturday's showing against Brighton after saying they should have held the ball up better.

Big defender Micky Nelson suffered an injury on Saturday and Cooper said: "We defended well at times. Micky took a knock when he landed awkwardly, but he should be OK.

"We put plenty of balls into dangerous areas, but I just felt we could have done more with it. We finished Saturday's game strongly and I'm pleased with that."

Hard-working midfielder Darrell Clarke is back in the side after a spell on the bench.

Wrexham will be without former Spurs striker Chris Armstrong. He returned to training yesterday after being sidelined with Achilles trouble. Wrexham are likely to include Hartlepool-born midfielder Steve Thomas.

Read more about Hartlepool here.