MICK TAIT last week claimed his Darlington players were as good as Hartlepool's.

They weren't as good on Saturday; for 45 minutes they were better.

Pool knew Quakers would be up for this game - desperate to salvage some pride after the September 14 mauling.

While Pool have the championship to strive for, the remainder of Quakers' season hinged on Saturday. Pride against their rivals is all they had left to play for.

The point and performance was enough to indicate the season doesn't have to flicker out.

During the first-half in particular they gave the sort of performance their fans craved and deserved. Fight, passion and quality on the ball - characteristics Quakers showed in abundance on Saturday, making up for last time.

At half-time the question was: could they keep up that level of effort for another 45 minutes?

And that's what frustrates Tait - his players showed on Saturday what they are capable of, but keeping it going for 90 minutes every week is the problem.

Tait's game plan was to try and frustrate Pool - three central defenders and a packed midfield ensured the visitors were rarely given the time or space on the ball after they enjoyed so much against pitiful Swansea the previous week.

A penalty in the embryonic stages of period two and Darrell Clarke's header saw the home side behind.

But they - and Andy Collett in particular - refused to buckle and Liddle's header in front of his own Tin Shed fans was a deserved leveller.

From then on it was the Collett show as he repeated his derby feats of old. If there's one thing Hartlepool United fans won't miss about derby games next season, it's Andrew Alfred Collett.

The number one's number one display wasn't the only talking point on Saturday night. Referee Mike Ryan's performance was as bad as Collett's was good.

Both sides had big penalty claims knocked back, both were left bemused and frustrated by many decisions.

Ryan celebrated his centenary on Saturday - his 100th yellow card of the season - and the way he is going he won't be far off the 150 mark come May.

Just about the only decision he got right was the double booking of Ryan Valentine for two lunges on Darrell Clarke.

The game and occasion deserved better than Mr Ryan's pitiful showing.