FOUR IN, one out, Hartlepool United are making a real effort to stay in the Football League after a busy transfer deadline day.

Pools yesterday lost Rakish Bingham, who was recalled by Mansfield, but signed Marvin Morgan from Plymouth and David Mirfin from Scunthorpe, while turning Scott Harrison’s loan from Sunderland into a permanent deal and securing Nicky Featherstone until the end of the season.

And boss Ronnie Moore, shortlisted for the League Two manager of the month award for January, was also left frustrated that he didn’t get more deals over the line.

He was keen on a move for Blackburn defender Yann Songo'o, but managed to land Mirfin, who was promoted from the bottom division with the Iron last season.

A swop deal was mooted which would have seen Jack Compton move to Bristol Rovers and former Pools winger Andy Monkhouse return to the club.

The day started with Bingham going back to Field Mill. His initial loan deal was due to expire and yesterday was the final day the Stags could recall him before the loan was automatically extended to the end of the season.

With Adam Murray’s side second bottom and the team immediately above Pools in the table, it was no surprise they called him back.

Moore then landed Marvin Morgan as a replacement, the big Plymouth striker moving on loan to the end of the campaign a week after Moore went to Devon to watch him play for the reserve side.

Featherstone has not played since the defeat at Wycombe on January 3, but Moore was keen to keep him to add to his midfield options.

Harrison has had three loan spells at Pools, one last season and two this and has impressed in recent weeks alongside Dan Jones.

But Moore had made no secret of his desire to add experience to the middle of his defence and Mirfin fits the bill.

The 29-year-old has over 400 appearances to his name, but has not played this season because of a knee injury. He was a mainstay in last season’s promotion-winning side, missing only one game.

Moore said: “He’ll bring the experience we need because we have two young centre-backs at the moment and we’ve been desperate for that extra bit of experience and he certainly has that.

“David knows the division inside out having played a massive part in Scunthorpe’s promotion from League Two last season so I know he will certainly help Scott Harrison and young Dan Jones too.’’

Of Harrison, Moore admitted he sees the former Darlington trainee as captaincy material: “He’s the type of player we want at the club; there is still room for development of course but I am pleased he’s agreed. He wasn’t particularly worried about the situation and if the worst happens then he’s happy to stay and fight to put things right – that’s really pleasing for me.

“I think Scott has grown in to the squad and I certainly think he has a bit of captain’s material in him one day and I would love him to wear the armband here one day.

“He’s not the finished article – he’s still a baby and he’s still learning how to play the role properly. He’s got one or two faults but if you’re the full article by that age then you’re a very lucky person so I am looking forward to working with him on the training pitch.’’

Speaking on the club’s official website, Moore added: “We’ve had a long day, but hopefully the business we have done will be a big benefit in the weeks ahead.

“We’ve managed to get a few things sorted out and we’re fairly pleased with how the window has worked for us. That’s not to say that we won’t do anything in the loan market when that becomes available to us again next week.

“Some of the deals we’ve tried to do have gone smoothly and some not so smoothly. At the last minute we were let down on one potential signing and you then have to look at your other targets.

“We’ve tried for other positions other than those we’ve managed to strengthen today but overall we’re pretty pleased with what we’ve got done – but it’s been a long day, that’s for sure!’’