RONNIE MOORE praised his central defenders after Adam Jackson and Matthew Bates impressed at the weekend.

Jackson played after being struck down by illness on Friday, while Bates has been out injured for a month with a toe injury.

But both were solid and impressive at the weekend as Pools drew 1-1 at Cambridge.

Scott Harrison was absent with a cartilage problem, meaning Jackson had little choice than play despite his ailments.

He said: “Considering how we played Tuesday we came here today, played well and did all we asked. We win or lose, we rarely draw and a point could be vital.

“Their keeper was man of the match, no doubt. We played football , defended well. Batesy has only played 60 minutes for the reserves, Jacko was up all night being sick and Harrison was injured . The two centre halves were superb.

“I’m gutted we didn’t win, but appoint is a good one.’’

Goalscorer Jake Gray was rooming with Jackson at the team hotel on Friday evening, but had to leave Jackson alone because of his illness.

“I was rooming with him and he couldn't stop throwing up,’’ said Gray. "So to go from that to his performance was unbelievable. Him and Batesy were different class.

“He was throwing up everywhere, so I had to move out of the room.

"He was feeling ill [on Friday] and apart from training, he slept the rest of time. During the night he was throwing up in the bin! Disgusting!

"Then he goes and plays like that, he was different class.

"I moved out, so I was all right! I got a nice double bed!’’