NEALE Cooper has two main rivals for his first managerial award.

The Hartlepool United boss has guided his side to five successive wins this month, but it still may not be enough for the manager of the month award.

Pool lost April's opener at Brighton before going on the maximum run which has catapulted them into fifth spot.

But Tranmere's Brian Little has earned one point more than Cooper during the month and Stockport's Sammy McIlroy has chalked up three wins and a draw as part of a ten game unbeaten run.

The award will be announced on Saturday morning, hours before Pool face title winners Plymouth at Victoria Park.

Saturday's win at Rushden put Pool above Brighton by a single point and they are level on points with fourth-placed Swindon.

Port Vale are five points behind Pool with six to play for and boss Martin Foyle feels his side can still overtake Cooper's side.

He said: "We've still got a chance because Hartlepool have got two very tough games ahead. We'll be giving our fans plenty to hope for in our last home game against Tranmere. We couldn't ask for any more."

As well as winning praise for their on-field efforts, Cooper revealed his team are making plenty of friends off it as well.

The boss has regularly praised the spirit and camaraderie among the squad as they continue to set new standards in the best period in the club's history and he said: "Their workrate and character is tremendous.

"There is no pressure on them at all. They are going out and expressing themselves.

"This might only be a little thing, but the manager of the hotel we stayed in on Friday night came up to me before we left.

"He said he had never had a group of footballers stay in his hotel like this lot, the manner of the players, their attitude and character was first class he said.

"And I told the players that before Saturday's game. It's about making the right impression and image. The head chef, the head of the restaurant, the head receptionist all said the same thing about these players so they must be doing something right.

"It is such a big thing that they get on well because that comes over on the pitch.''

He added: "That spirit has been built over the years. I knew it was strong when I came to the club and I would not bring anyone in who I didn't think would fit in.

"They will fight each other's corner all day because of it. There is a smile around the club, in the offices and on the pitch. I work with tremendous people at this club. I couldn't have hand picked any better staff, I promise you that."

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