NEALE Cooper admits he would have had no complaints even if his side had made a pointless journey back to the North-East on Saturday night.

A single Mark Tinkler goal gave Pool the advantage until two goals in quick succession put the visitors behind.

And even though Gavin Strachan's speciality free-kick earned a deserved point, Cooper admitted: "We deserved something from the game because of the way we fought - but if we hadn't got a point there is no way I could have criticised my boys after that performance. I have said it before but these boys are a pleasure to work with.

"The second goal apart, we defended very well. We've gone away from home and we led for a long time.

"The disappointing thing about their second goal was that is came straight through the middle and generally that's an area we have defended really well.

"But then we went with three up front, there's nothing to lose, and Strachan's finish was a different class.

"I really thought we worked very hard. We were under a bit of pressure at times and major credit to the boys because we defended well. We had a meeting on Friday night, nothing serious, just to see how things had gone of late and we said we needed to start games better and hurt teams, which I thought we did.''

Cooper saw Derek Holmes, a striker he had on his books at Ross County cancel out Tinkler's opener and he admitted: "I've saw him do that a few times before for me. He's a big lad and is a good header of the ball.

"When I was at Ross County, Hartlepool tried to sign him for £15,000.

"He probably should have done better at Ross County than he did, but they way Bournemouth play suits his game, they get the ball wide and fire crosses over.''

Mark Robinson needed stitches in a leg wound he suffrered in the first-half.

* Australian international striker Joel Porter is on trial at Victoria Park. He scored four goals in five games for the Socceroos and played for leading Aussie side Sydney Olympic before his recent release.

He has also been on trial at Sunderland and Wigan, but the Black Cats were unable to play him on trial because his visa failed to come through in time and the club recommended him to Pool.

* The Hartlepool United Disabled Supporters Association are holding a talk-in with Neale Cooper and Martin Scott on Wednesday night at Old Boys Rugby Club on Easington Road. Tickets, priced at £5 which includes a hot and cold buffet, are available on the night, from the Victoria Park club shop or by telephoning (01429) 429792.

Read more about Hartlepool here.