MATTHEW BATES piled the praise on Scott Loach as the Hartlepool United goalkeeper turned in a fine display.

Pools were second best against Torquay in the second-half as the visitors, relegated after failing to win at Victoria Park, dominated.

Loach, after saving a first-half penalty, made a string of fine stops. The keeper’s game has improved in recent weeks since Ross Turnbull started working at the club.

The former Middlesbrough and Chelsea keeper has replaced Bernard Hirmer on the training ground, the German not seen at the club since Craig Harrison left.

Pools won’t be having a player of the year evening, but Loach has been a relatively consistent performer throughout the season.

“Scott is massively valuable,’’ admitted Bates. “You look as journalists at the saves, we as coaches look at other things and he has come on massively in the last few weeks with things he has been working on. He should not be at this level and has been brilliant all season.

“He kept us in it, not just praising him for his performance today but what he’s brought all season on and off the pitch.’’

Pools were down to ten men for the last stages, after midfielder Aaron Cunningham was sent off by referee Simeon Lucas.

The teenage debutant’s sliding tackle was ruled illegal and Bates said: “Aaron came on and was sent-off in front of the dug outs. My view was that it was a good tackle, five – six yards in front of me, but I want to watch it back.

“He has done well in training and is combative. I didn’t want to say anything to him after the game and I think it was a good tackle, we will go again with him and I think he has a good future ahead of him.

“It was an old-fashioned challenge, wasn’t a sending off in the past but we couldn’t get close to them in the second half especially. We had a bench of kids and couldn’t change it how we would have liked to.’’

Pools have one game left this season, at Tranmere on Saturday. Fans will be travelling in fancy dress, as is tradition, and Bates joked: “You won’t see me dressed as a clown – but I’m sure some will be calling me one! It’s been a long season and let’s try and enjoy it as much as we can.’’