NEALE Cooper last night declared Hartlepool United's pre-season tour of Holland a huge success.

Two goals from Joel Porter secured a 2-1 win over FC Eindhoven and, after a 2-2 draw with Top Oss on Tuesday, Pool return to England today with their pre-season preparations off to an encouraging start.

Last night's outing was scarred when a group from Hartlepool were involved in fighting with locals at half-time.

But Cooper was concentrating on the football and said: "Both games have been good tests and good run-outs for everyone. It's been good to come over here and play two quite physical games.

"Sometimes you can play pre-season games with no physical contact, but these have been tough affairs.

"We have played some good football, but it's not only about that - it's about getting the lads together again and building up spirit.''

This is the third year Pool have travelled to the Netherlands and they have yet to lose in six outings. Add on two years and five games in Norway previously and Pool's pre-season international record reads five wins, five draws and a single defeat from 11 outings.

Their other game abroad was a 5-1 reverse in Romania to FC Brasov in 1992.

Only 32 seconds had gone last night when Mark Tinkler went close with a header and after a lively start Pools were in front.

Darrell Clarke fed Eifion Williams and the striker crossed for Porter, who sidefooted in from six yards to net a tidy goal.

But four minutes later the hosts levelled. They cut through the Pool defence with a couple of passes and Rik van de Langenberg slotted low past Dimitrious Konstantopoulos.

Williams then had a good chance, but hit his shot against the legs of the home keeper from six yards.

Micky Nelson thumped a header at goal from Gavin Strachan's corner, but keeper Wilburt Need tipped it over the bar. From the second corner, there was an identical run of play, with Need again keeping out the big defender.

At the other end, Konstantopoulos, in for Jim Provett, who is nursing a hip injury, saved with his legs and Pool were soon two goals to the good.

Right-back Chris Westwood floated over a teasing deep cross and Porter sent a header into the roof of the net.

In hot conditions the game, as in Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Top Oss, was proving a tough, competitive outing, just what Cooper wanted ahead of next week's visit to Billingham Town and the three-game tour to Scotland.

Williams hobbled off on 69 minutes with left-back Hugh Robertson replacing him up front.

* French defender Abrahim Tounakra has returned to France after spending three days with Pool in Holland.

Pool: Konstantopoulos, Westwood, Nelson, Tinkler, Brackstone, Istead (Boyd 46), Strachan (Lumsdon 75), Clarke, Humphreys (Robson 75), Porter (Sweeney 61), Williams (Robertson 69).

Read more about Hartlepool here.