MARK Tinkler grabbed Hartlepool United's final goal in the win over Shrewsbury Town, and no sooner had he walked off the pitch he turned his attention to a battle with a former boss.

The 26-year-old, who started his career with Leeds United, will take on Paul Hart's Nottingham Forest team tonight in the Worthington Cup.

And Hart was Tinkler's youth team coach at Elland Road when the Forest manager guided the young guns to FA Youth Cup success.

But when the First Division outfit travel to Victoria Park this evening Tinkler will not be doing any favours for a man he still holds in high esteem.

"It's like any game I will be gong out there to win," said Tinkler. "Paul Hart was tremendous when I was at Leeds and he was a terrific coach.

"There's no doubting he will do well in management because he is a man who knows what he is talking about.

"But I think that we can turn his team over and cause an upset. It would be ice to get through to the next round especially with winning at Shrewsbury."

Pool have every right to go into the clash on a high after their 3-1 win over Shrewsbury at Gay Meadow.

Tinkler hit Pool's third goal in spectacular fashion with 15 minutes remaining, and insists that he is hoping to find the back of the net on more occasions during the course of the current campaign.

Goalscoring is not one of the Spennymoor midfielder's strongest points but he is convinced he will at least beat the keeper eight times over the next nine months.

"The gaffer (Chris Turner) has given me more licence to push forward now," said Tinkler, whose goal followed strikes from Ian Clark (penalty) and Kevin Henderson.

"The last time I hit one from that distance (25 yards) I think I must have been playing for York City.

"But they are always nice when they go in, but they're always nice anyway no matter how far out you are."

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