NEALE Cooper has only been in control of Hartlepool United for two games - but he has already earmarked Mark Tinkler as one of his major players.

Pool's pre-season games in Holland ended yesterday with an entertaining 3-3 draw with Heerenveen. Marco Gabbiadini's first goal in a Pool shirt, coupled with strikes from Chris Westwood and Tinkler made it nine goals in two games this week.

Tinkler was an integral part of last season's promotion success and made the PFA team of the year - and Cooper, himself a central midfielder in his playing days, had nothing but praise for the ex-Leeds and York man.

"He works so hard and he has the experience there in the middle of the park which you need,'' said the Pool boss. "We had a hard game today against top class opposition and he never looked out of place.

"It was tough out there in hot conditions and one or two of the players have to work a bit harder.

"But they can take a look at Mark and see what it is all about. He has impressed me from day one in training and now in games. I know he will have a big part to play.''

Tinkler netted a second half header, nodding in from a Jon Bass cross to give Pool a 3-2 advantage before the visitors were immediately pegged back. Westwood gave Pool a 17th-minute lead, heading in from a floated Darrell Clarke corner. Gabbiadini's first goal for his new club came two minutes later. Tinkler played him in and he used his strength to shrug off two defenders and plant a low drive beyond the keeper.

All the opposition goals came from Heerenveen's Jesper Hakansson as he nabbed a hat-trick.

His first two came from defensive slip-ups in as many minutes to level the score at 2-2. First he got in between keeper Anthony Williams and skipper Mick Barron to lift the ball home before being on hand to tap- in after Williams fumbled a cross. The third was a cool finish from the penalty spot after substitue Bass handled.

Hakansson was one of four first-teamers in the home team 24 hours before an Intertoto Cup tie today.

They gave Pool a far sterner test than the previous opposition and Cooper added: "We've had two games, haven't lost and I'm told the opposition was a lot better than last year's. We went 2-0 up, sort of against the run of play because they were having a lot of possession. I think the boys will have learnt things from the game.''

Micky Nelson again impressed at the back, as Pool started with three central defenders. Ritchie Humphreys sat out the game as a precautionary measure after suffering a sore groin during Tuesday's win over Top Oss. The player of the year trained in his own during the game and should be fit for next week's friendlies.

* The first-half was livened up by the appearance of a streaker.

Hartlepool fan Mally Horsley, 24, raced across the pitch, waving a Pool flag as he made a play for the centre circle, much to the amusement of players and spectators.

Pool: A Williams (Provett 71min), Nelson, Barron, Westwood, Arnison (Easter 46 (Istead 84)), Tinkler, Clarke, Boyd (Robson 46), Robinson (Brackstone 46), Gabbiadini (Richardson 46), E Williams (Henderson 62).

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