ANTONY Sweeney wants to see his Hartlepool United teammates ensure the benefit of last weekend's first home win of the season isn't wasted.

Pool finally secured a home win at the seventh attempt, beating MK Dons 2-1 at Victoria Park.

They go to Port Vale tomorrow and, after winning three games away from home and failing to make the most of the three-point returns, Sweeney is hoping for a platform to build on.

"We've always got a win this season and thought it might be the platform to kick on, then we've lost the next game,'' he said.

"So Port Vale is an absolutely massive game for us. If we can get the points there, hopefully we can take the momentum into the rest of the season.

"Winning at home was long overdue. The first 45 minutes were poor. We stood off them too far and were waiting for things to happen. But the second half was a total contrast.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room was more lively than it should have been, seeing as we'd only won a home game, but I think that showed what a relief it was."

Micky Barron played 65 minutes of the reserve defeat to Doncaster on Wednesday and he was replaced by the returning Hugh Robertson. The left-back has been plagued by knee and thigh problems this season, but is stepping up his comeback.

Tomorrow's game will come too soon for both players.

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