FOR BRAD Walker, it’s been a season of disappointment. For Hartlepool United it’s been the same.

But the midfielder is back on form as Pools finally make a real fight of their situation at the bottom end of the Football League.

Three wins in a week have coincided with Walker’s return to the side. And, while boss Ronnie Moore joked that the teenager will be taking credit for the revival, it was his cool finish from the penalty spot that earned the win over Mansfield last weekend.

Last season Walker was flying. From signing his first professional contract amid an impressive pre-season to becoming a regular in Colin Cooper’s side to earning a call to train with the England under-18 squad, it was some introduction.

But this campaign has been a different story.

Walker struggled as much as Pools did in the early stages and, with his mentor Cooper leaving, he found himself on the sidelines as Moore arrived.

He had to wait over two months for a return to the starting line-up as Moore weighed up his options and played with different systems.

But a solid display at Morecambe was followed by an improvement at Oxford four days later.

And his week was capped off with the decisive goal against the Stags.

"I have heard all about second season syndrome,’’ he reflected. "I played 44 games last season and needed a break. The gaffer has given me that and I think I have come back flying again, that is how I feel.

"Against Oxford, that was more like me last season, it is all coming back now and I am enjoying myself again.

"I was frustrated and disappointed not being in the side, I just had to keep myself ticking over and keep myself right.

"So that when my chance came, I could grab it with both hands.

"It has obviously been a good week since I got back in but it has been a real team effort.’’

And Walker added: "It has been horrible being out of the team.

"I knew I wasn't what I was but last week I felt fit and refreshed and felt more like myself again.

"I think that showed and I was getting forward more. I have seen a big change in myself.

"I certainly hadn't lost interest - I just felt like I needed to be playing.

"I kept myself ticking over and right and I waited for the chance and have now taken it.’’

After Ryan Bird’s penalty at Oxford was saved, the rebound converted by Neil Austin, the penalty taking duties were up for grabs.

And the way Walker nabbed the ball as soon as Nicky Featherstone was fouled in the area said that there was no doubt what was coming next.

Pools are now a single point from safety, the closest they have been since dropping to the bottom in October.

"The goal has just capped the week off - we have been magnificent,’’ reflected Walker. "There was belief before that we would get out of it - we were nine points adrift at one point.

"Coming off on Saturday, we were one point. We have to keep believing and if we do then we will get out of this.

"I didn't doubt us getting three points on Saturday, with the way everybody was feeling.’’

Pools struggled last season and their survival was only secured with two games remaining.

This season it’s looking like it’s going to be even more fraught and Walker can see the difference in the squad.

"Last season we had some very good loan players, Luke Williams and Jack Barmby, players that could play at a very good level,’’ he said.

"I am certainly not saying we haven't got good players this year too but we have struggled massively - I think we will be alright though.

"We can do this, you can see it in the fans, they all believe it, we believe it and the staff do.’’

"The fans have been fantastic, all this week with the away support.

"They got us through the last 25 minutes with their support.’’

Pools look set to keep defender David Mirfin for the rest of the season. The centre-half is on loan from Scunthorpe after knee surgery and hadn’t played a game this campaign before moving to Victoria Park.

The Iron’s indifferent form meant Mirfin’s name was raised as a possible reinforcement, but their boss Mark Robins said: “He’s our player and he’s out at Hartlepool, but at this moment in time we won’t be exercising any recall clause.

“Mirf hasn’t played for me, he’s been injured for three months – this move was as much to do with his rehabilitation from his operation as anything else. He’s done pretty well at Hartlepool, but at the moment can only train alternate days and he’s playing in games now.

“From our perspective he’s doing okay in the league below, but we’re monitoring it on a game by game basis.”