Match Report: Preston North End 1 Hartlepool United 0 (From The Northern Echo)

Cooper angry as Pools dominate but defeated

11:35pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Hartlepool United Match Reports By Nick Loughlin

IF Hartlepool United had returned from Preston with a point, it would have been a case of two points dropped.

Instead, they somehow contrived to lose the game, after a first-half of sheer dominance, leaving boss Neale Cooper seething.

Preston were awful, in the first-half especially, yet won the game with their first shot on target and Pools' five-game unbeaten run was thrown out of the window.

Cooper couldn't believe his side failed to turn such a dominant position into a defeat. Profligacy doesn't even come into it.

"We played some really good stuff, but have to put the ball in the net,'' he fumed after his first defeat since January 2. "So dominant first-half and we have to be out of sight - could have been five up at half-time.

"It's so frustrating and I'm angry at the opportunity missed. We dominated so much and came away with nothing and fact that the substitute who wins the game gets their man of the match says it all.

"We cannot rely on the defenders every week, the front boys have to take responsibility and put the ball in the net.

"We need better quality in the box and we don't attack the second balls in there. I'm angry as we have to finish teams off - I'm not angry with the effort, but that we can't finish them off.

"On top, you have to score and I can't believe how dominant we were first-half. All good teams kill off the opposition and we have to do better.''

Pools keeper Scott Flinders had one corner to save in the first-half and a shot to block after the only goal.

At the other end it was a different tale altogether and Pools had five clear first-half chances without scoring. The chances they missed in the 90th minute which should have brought a leveller simply added to Cooper's frustration.

Thorsten Stuckmann saved from James Brown and then the attacker had a big penalty shout rejected when he was bundled over from behind and also pushed a weak shot at Stuckmann when he should have picked his spot and been celebrating.

Brown then poked the ball at goal from a decent position, opting to direct a tame shot at the keeper when he should have picked a spot and went for it.

Luke James was again courted by a welter of scouts, keeping tabs on his every move and he showed what he can do when, after taking a Monkhouse pass he glided past defender Jamie McAllister into space and curled a shot wide of the far post.

There was no let up in the pressure, as Neil Austin crossed deep for Antony Sweeney. His effort was blocked and the loose ball evaded Monkhouse in the six-yard area.

James fired over a cross from the right, towards the penalty area and determined Sweeney beat his marker to the ball, but steered wide.

Yet, Pools failed to get going in the second-half, too often they tried to find James on the right as an option, and paid the price as Mayor scored.

Even in injury time, Pools' problems in front of goal continued - four clear chances going begging.

Colin Nish might have looked offside when he had the ball at his feet six yards out, but Stuckmann smothered.

The rebound was fired at goal by the substitute, but Nicky Hunt cleared off the line.

Then Monkhouse headed the loose ball against the bar, before finally nodding the rebound wide - Pools' night summed up in an instant.

Little wonder Cooper was so angry.