STAND-IN skipper Ritchie Humphreys is urging Adam Boyd to keep up the good work.

Boyd has netted three goals in two starts since returning to the Hartlepool United first-team after an all-too familiar spell in the wilderness.

The Hartlepool-born striker has been Pool's star man in their last two games.

Boss Neale Cooper tore a strip off his side at half-time during Saturday's home defeat to Brentford, but revealed Boyd was exempt from the ear-bashing.

And Humphreys, captain in the absence of stomach strain victim Micky Barron admitted: "What has happened has been fantastic for him - he is back in the team from nowhere.

"We all know, in terms of natural ability, he is something special. We see him do things in training that only he can do.

"Maybe it has been a shock for him to come back in the team, but he has been outstanding. He has set the standards.

"Maybe going to Boston was a reality check for him. He is a confidence player and will try things which don't always come off - and when they don't then sometimes he hides again.

"But he scored two at Grimsby and one the week later - we've had a bit of magic from him.

"And it will mean more to him being a Hartlepool lad as well. It can only be good for everyone.''

Saturday's defeat was Pool's fourth home loss in eight outings - after they went 28 games without losing at Victoria Park.

They go to Brighton on Saturday, before Mike Newell's Luton visit next Tuesday and Humphreys said: "When you look at our home form, as good a record we have got, it has really let us down a bit this year.

"You wouldn't expect that to be said after going so long unbeaten at home, but we have dropped a lot of points there.

"Teams have come to us and showed us some respect by making it hard for us to break down.

"But there's been games we have dominated - Blackpool last month and games earlier in the season like Tranmere and Oldham - when we haven't won.''

*l The funeral of former chairman Harold Hornsey will take place at 11.30am on Thursday at St Paul's church, Grange Road, Hartlepool.

* Brentford have agreed to pay Barnet compensation for the services of Martin Allen as manager.

Barnet threatened to put Allen on gardening leave for the rest of the season after he walked out to take over the Bees 12 days ago.

Read more about Hartlepool here.