IT WAS almost a dream debut for new boy Marco Gabbiadini.

He's had to watch 276 minutes of action from the sidelines in the first week of the season - and there's the small matter of a penalty shoot out to add to that - before making his Hartlepool United debut.

And yet, just three minutes into his career at his new club, he almost had the home fans doing cartwheels.

Being left out for the first two games, with boss Neale Cooper citing a lack of match fitness added fuel to the doubters fire; there's still a few yet to be convinced that Marco Goalo should be a Hartlepool player.

Yet one vignette, a matter of seconds into his first outing, should be enough to prove the minority of mockers wrong.

He took the ball in the penalty area, burst through two defenders, used his trademark strength to shove off a third and just as he was about to shoot, Sean Connolly nicked the ball away at the death.

"I was just waiting for the ball to come back alongside me, there was a couple of defenders I was trying to hold off on the right side and the lad just got a touch as I was about to poke it in,'' he reflected.

"I was close to it, but it was just nice to get out there. That was the main thing for me.''

And after a rousing reception when he made his 63rd minute bow, he admitted: "I can't say I was wary about what was going to happen, because I've had some nice things said about me by plenty of people.

"But it was good to get my first outing out of the way. I feel good in myself and can't wait for more.''

On Saturday he linked up with Paul Robinson, the former Newcastle striker who used to adore Gabbiadini from the Roker Park terraces.

Robinson has already netted twice this season and has the hunger and determination to get his career back on track after spending the last couple of years drifting from pillar to post.

"He has looked sharp in pre-season and it was good to play alongside him,'' said Gabbiadini. "He's got the ability - we all know he's played at the highest level.

"Apparently he used to come and watch me play for Sunderland, but he looks as old as me so I don't know how!

"He says I was his boyhood hero, so I don't know how that makes me feel.''

A point and performance like Saturday's, coupled with the previous comeback at Peterborough shows that Pool are, like ex-boss Chris Turner said in midweek, no mug team.

Tranmere have now gone 18 games without defeat and on Saturday they could easily have lost that record. Pool started with three at the back and five across midfield, but looked far happier going forward in the second period after changing to a flat back four.

Micky Nelson headed against a post in the first half and in the second Jim Provett made a fine save to deny Kevin Hume a goal on the break.

Yet, in truth, the roles were reversed. Rovers were the most dangerous in the first period, Pool dominant in the second.

Gabbiadini spent last season at Northampton and after being relegated knows exactly what Pool need to do to stay in the division. "What we have shown in the first three games has been tremendous - and we need to show more of the same,'' he said. "We played two good sides in the league so far. Peterborough have three big strong centre-halfs who get behind the ball and Tranmere are very direct with some big players and we have coped with them both well.

"It was a case of getting the feel of the game and for each other in the first half. They are a strong side and we had to show them some respect, but we had a go at them in the second-half.

"We deserve a lot of credit for what we have done. If we can show plenty of that effort and spirit then we have enough flair players here to cause a lot of problems.

"I think that if, as a squad, you have won a promotion and have the majority of that squad in place then it is going to be in your favour.

"It's nice as a player to come into that situation and see the spirit is already there. The players here have made it very easy for me and all the new boys to come in.''

Tranmere muscled Pool out of the League Cup last season, but there was no chance of a repeat. The visitors swung over plenty of crosses, mainly from the right side in the first-half.

But Pool never buckled under pressure. Micky Nelson, Chris Westwood or Andrew Jordan won the headers, keeper Provett was assured.

It gave Pool a steady platform to build from and they made the most of it in the second period.

Micky Barron had two close efforts, Darrell Clarke sent a teasing ball across goal just out of reach of Eifion Williams, Gabbiadini had his chance and then came the penalty that wasn't.

Robinson's cross was met by the only defender in the area, but Ryan Taylor appeared to bring it down with a combination of arm and body.

Referee Lee Mason gave a corner, much to the chagrin of the roaring Town End.

"Make of that what you want,'' said Gabbiadini with a wry smile. "It was handball, but it's whether it was intentional or not. I think on the whole we probably deserved the decision to go for us, but it doesn't work like that sometimes.

"To be fair I'd have been disappointed if it had been given against me. You can't say it was intentional, it was a piece of bad control from the lad.''

Result:: Hartlepool United 0 Tranmere Rovers 0.

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