COLIN Larkin is relishing the chance to maintain his solid form this afternoon, with a better outcome to follow.

The Hartlepool United attacker impressed on the left wing last Saturday.

But he suffered as Pools were unable to make the most of his endeavour as they bombed out of the FA Cup to Kettering Town.

Larkin, a summer signing from Northampton, will stay in the side when Leyton Orient visit.

He could be pitched up front as Chris Turner considers freshening up his attacking options.

“In terms of performance – especially in the first half – I thought we did really, really well last week,’’ admitted the Irishman.

“Personally I think it was possibly the best I’ve played this season and probably for a long time as well.

“They just got their noses in front and the amount of chances we created, again especially in the first half, we just never seemed to get that finishing touch and that’s the way it goes sometimes in the FA Cup.

“It was quite pleasing for me. I saw a lot of the ball and knew I had the better of the left back as well.

“The league is our bread and butter and hopefully if we create the same chances we will take them.’’ He added: “The game got a bit dull in the second half and it’s unfortunate. The fans pay their money and they were booing at the end.

“The result says everything.

“The paper might say how many chances we created and how many crosses we put into the box but it still says Kettering won 1-0.

“If we can take the performance into the Leyton Orient game we will have great confidence.

“The result didn’t reflect the performance, which is disappointing.

After we lost to Grimsby (in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy) I said the same thing. I’m sure if we create that number of chances again we will get the three points.

“It just didn’t click for us and it was strange.

“I think performance-wise quite a lot of the lads played really well.

“We just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net and it was the same against Grimsby.

“Hopefully we can do that in the league on Saturday and that is the positive we can take out of the game.’’ Pools have not lost in League One since going down 3-1 at Exeter on October 3.

Two wins and two draws since then have put Turner’s side in 11th spot in League One.

It’s a position from which Pools are out to build, with Turner today up against one of his former clubs.

“We’ve had such good form in the last four games that it is disappointing to lose last week, but let’s hope we can bounce back and get the right result,’’ added Larkin.

“I think I played really well and hopefully that goes a long way for next Saturday.

“We can’t dwell on it. We’ve got to be bright and buzzing for Saturday because that is our main focus.’’

Parry back in town

ONE of Hartlepool United’s all-time greats is back in town today to support fundraising events in aid of the Hartlepool and District Hospice.

Tony Parry, Brian Clough’s first signing for Pools back in October 1965, is attending a 60s night at the Rovers Quoit Club (8pm).

Player of the Year in Pools’ first promotion season in 1967/68, Parry is this morning attending a charity football match in memory of well-known local footballer Liam Gough. The match kicks-off at Grayfields at 11.30am.

Parry, who yesterday met up with Mayor Stuart Drummond, will be watching Pools take on Leyton Orient this afternoon.

Mayor Drummond said: “Tony Parry is a footballing legend in Hartlepool. I think it is great that he is giving up his time to return to the town to support a charity like the Hartlepool Hospice. On his recent visits to the town he has commented on how much Hartlepool has changed for the better and it will be interesting to listen to what it was like in the 60s and early 70s.”

A few tickets remain for tonight, when Parry will also reflect on his days under Clough. Tickets are £3 and can be obtained from the Rovers Quoit Club or from John Gough on (01429) 276749 or 07904 641875.