NEALE Cooper revealed some fine tuning on the training ground is paying a dividend.

Cooper's Hartlepool United have conceded a single goal in three away games - in the FA Cup at Sunderland on January 3 - after leaking four at QPR in December.

Pool have a fine defensive record at home, but it has been a different story on their travels.

And Cooper, disappointed not to have returned home from Tranmere with a victory after seeing his side dominate the second-half, is reaping the rewards of working with his defenders.

He said: "The main thing was that we didn't lose the game and now that's two solid away performances in the league after Oldham.

"We have conceded a lot of goals away from home, but I thought the defence was brilliant on Saturday.

"Nelson was up against a strong player, who can be a bit of a handful - Big Dadi! - but Mick was always on top of him. He got battered early on and needed stitches at half-time on a cut, but it didn't affect him.

"We've spent a lot of time working with the back four, trying to get them to play further up the park, rather than sitting a bit deeper.

"That makes it easier for Jim Provett behind them because he has more space and they have done it really well - it's shown in the last few games.''

He added: "I'm disappointed not to win the game, I thought we were tremendous against a good side.

"Everybody worked their socks off, it was a hard-working, professional performance and we created a lot of good chances.

"Matty Robson hit a great strike against the post and we had one or two others through good moves as well.

"We put good balls into the box, but overall - and they are a decent team - we were the better team.''

"Defensively we were very strong, with anything they threw at us. I always felt quite confident and never worried.''

* Striker Paul Robinson didn't travel to Tranmere. He was ill on Friday night and was sent home before boarding the team coach.

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