LEE Bullock has had to wait, but now the midfielder is showing Hartlepool United what he is capable of, writes Nick Loughlin.
Since his summer move from Cardiff, the Thornaby-born midfielder was in and out of the team without getting the chance to make a regular spot his own.
But, under Paul Stephenson, he's started the last two games and impressed in both against Tranmere and Doncaster.
Saturday was only his 14th start, but he admitted to feeling deflated after Doncaster grabbed a late leveller to deny Pool their second win under Stephenson.
"It's a massive disappointment to lose the lead so late on - but credit to the lad, because it was a great strike,'' he admitted.
"It was terrible to play in those conditions and I think the wind got stronger as the game went on and we were defending into it.
"It was hard to strike the ball over their heads and clear our lines, but all you can do is keep going and working hard.
"We knew at half-time what we had to do and we did it for 44 minutes.
"I think we probably needed two goals to sit on it in the second half, we had a couple of chances and on another day they might have gone in, but at least we were creating the chances.''
Adam Boyd put Pool in front with his first goal since August 27 at Huddersfield and, after an injury ravaged season, Bullock can see Boyd getting back to his best.
"Boydy stuck a great goal away and that will do him good,'' said the former York midfielder. "He has been out a long time, but we all know what a good player he is and hopefully he can go on and get a few more now.
"It's a good start for him and you can all see his fitness is coming back.
"He's put the work in during training and you can see that with every game he plays, he is looking sharper all the time. Over the next couple of weeks he will be right back to his best.
"We've gone four games unbeaten now, we are all positive and looking forward to playing.
"Now we just want to carry on this little run we are going on, but win games instead of drawing them.''
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