GOALKEEPERS have a habit of making their mark in Hartlepool - Darlington games.

Andy Collett was outstanding in back to back derbies at Feethams in 2001 and 2002.

But even he had some way to go to match Mark Prudhoe back in February 1991.

The game between the two promotion-chasing sides at a wet and muddy Victoria Ground became more than Pool v Quakers, it was more like Paul Baker v Mark Prudhoe.

"Billy Thompson would have been impressed,'' wrote The Northern Echo. "For even Billy the Fish, as he is better known to millions of Viz readers, would have been hard pressed to match the heroics of Prudhoe.

"The Fulchester keeper is famous for his miraculous saves and his ability to swin through the air; Prudhoe's aerial acrobatics were impressive enough and had the Victoria Ground pitch been a shade wetter he might well have needed flippers and snorkel for some of his sea-level stops.''

While conditions might be a bit better in tomorrow's Carling Cup encounter at Victoria Park, Dimi Konstantopoulos and Sam Russell might take note of Prudhoe's display (and that of Collett), with vested interest.

Pool's big Greek stopper improved immensely under Prudhoe's coaching in the last 18 months at Pool before the well-travelled shot-stopper moved to Hull City, while Quakers' Russell was player of the year last season after specialist coaching from Andy Collett.

After this February 1991 draw, Pool trailed the Division Four leaders by eight points, with two games in hand.

Quakers, managed by Brian Little, went onto lift the title on the final day of the season, while Pool were promoted on the same day.

Few derby games have been so one-sided as this though. "I hope Brian's done the pools this week, I hope he's filled in his coupon,'' said the Pool chief, the late Cyril Knowles.

"I can't believe we didn't win, we were streets ahead but Prudhoe saved everything. I'm just bewildered.''

Opposite number Little admitted: "I'm delighted with a point. Our three centre backs and keeper all did well and I thought we were generally in control despite all the pressure we soaked up.''

Baker, his hand bandaged, was first denied by Prudhoe before the half-hour. "Prudhoe kept out efforts from Baker and Honour that would have beaten lesser mortals,'' read the report.

Keeper then finger-tipped a Baker scissors kick onto the bar, he turned to his right to push another Baker shot wide.

Quakers first chance came on 51 minutes, a tame Michael Trotter effort that rolled to Pool keeper Brian Cox.

Honour shot, Prudhoe saved. It was that sort of day.

Pool (4-3-3): Cox 6, Nobbs 7, McKinnon 7, Tinkler 7, MacPhail 6, Bennyworth 6, Allon 7, Tupling 7, BAKER 9, Honour 8, Dalton 7. Subs (not used): Smith, Fletcher.

Quakers (5-3-2): PRUDHOE 10, McJannet 7, Gray 6, Willis 7, Smith 7, Coverdale 5 (Mardenborough 61, 6), Gill 6, Trotter 6, Borthwick 6, Ellison 6 (Coatsworth 85), Tait.