JON Daly is getting into the habit of scoring important goals for Hartlepool United.

Arriving from Stockport County last February, the big frontman has taken time to get used to Pool's way.

But now, with three goals in his last seven games, Daly is starting to show what he is capable of.

And when he scores, he makes sure they all mean something, Saturday's matchwinner at Doncaster the latest.

It took Daly 12 appearances to get off the mark in a blue and white shirt, but when he did it was a goal of some significance.

Handed a start by Martin Scott in the final game of last season, his angled header at Bournemouth set Pool on the way to the play-offs.

Then, in the final on May 29, his Cardiff header was a mere referee's decision away from being the biggest strike in the club's history as he put Pool in front and within sniffing distance of the Championship.

Doncaster's Earth Stadium couldn't be any further away from the grand splendour of the Millennium Stadium, but at least Daly's latest goal for Pool wasn't overshadowed.

It means a win to add to Pool's draw and defeat from the opening three games and, after the most unfavourable of weeks on the fixture list - Daly didn't get home until 6am from Bournemouth on Wednesday morning - it represents a steady start to the new season.

Improvement is the name of the game. Daly has improved in terms of fitness and threat since his £30,000 move, while Pool have improved game on game, both in performances and results this season.

The Dubliner admitted: "It was a great result, the conditions didn't help us, but we did the job.

"Before the game the gaffer was telling us to follow everything up because of the conditions and the keeper spilled one for me.

"It's my third goal for the club, but as a striker it's just nice to score. I think the points and clean sheet at the back are more important than what I do.

"It was disappointing to start the season on the bench, but when the manager puts you in and you get a chance you have to take it.

"I've played the last two games now and been pleased with my performances.

"I feel I've done alright, I've worked well with Proc (Michael Proctor) and with Boydy (Adam Boyd) in both games.

"When Joel (Porter) gets back as well, it's going to be even more difficult for a places because he is a quality player as well.''

Boyd again started on the bench, as Scott opted for Daly and Proctor. It's a controversial one, but a decision that has ultimately paid off with four points from two away games.

Daly has started five of Scott's seven games in charge and, while he won headers at one end, Neill Collins was even more commanding at the other.

The big Scot arrived at Pool on loan from Sunderland on Friday and, if he continues to defend as well as he did on his debut, it won't be long before Mick McCarthy is thinking of recalling him back to Wearside.

Collins knows how to defend and takes no prisoners.

"Neill was very dominant in the air,'' said Scott. "It's something I have looked at - how many headers do we win in our box and in the opponents'?

"I think we won an awful lot this time and a lot is down to Jon Daly.

"He's awkward, not easy to play against, but very affective.

"What Jon has done shows what sort of character he is. He knows what we expect from him and he was worked so hard to reach our levels of fitness.

"The fans last year started to see signs of what he is capable of, especially in the play-offs and in the play-off final.

"They know a fit Jon is a massive positive for us all.''

When Collins and Micky Nelson were breached, Dimi Konstantopoulos behind them refused to be beaten.

As the back line forged an understanding, there was some rustic first-half defending from Pool.

But with Konstantopoulos keeping out whatever Rovers could fire at him, Scott was a happy manager.

"We built on what we achieved on Tuesday. It wasn't pretty from our point of view, but we came away unscathed,'' he said.

"We won our challenges and Neill Collins at the back was outstanding. It was his first game and I don't think it's a coincidence that we kept our first clean sheet.

"It's credit to big Mick that he would allow him to come to us. We've been patient in waiting for him, but Mick has to look after himself and Sunderland first.

"We really appreciate it.

"He is a player who can dominate, he organises and isn't scared to point a finger - you could see that in the first-half having a go at people.

"Darren Williams has done the same as well and that's what we need more of.''

Pool are the team with all the Sunderland connections, but it was Rovers' Wearside old boy who first tested the keeper.

Sean Thornton always delivered a decent set-piece and his free-kick, whipped at goal from an angle, saw Konstantopoulos happy to push the ball over the bar.

The keeper then saved from Neil Roberts and saw Michael McIndoe lift his shot over the bar from six yards before Daly's goal.

Thomas Butler frightened the defence every time he ran at them. He picked up possession in the middle and curled a low shot towards the corner that was pushed out by Andy Warrington.

The ball spun out and Daly chased up to slide home.

Lee Bullock then hit the bar before Konstantopoulos came into his own.

A ball fed across the six yard box found James Coppinger and, while Daly netted from a similar angle, this time the big Greek blocked.

A goalbound Paul Heffernan header was spectacularly tipped over and then Konstantopoulos dived across goal to fetch a Nick Fenton effort.

Scott added: "We came under a lot of pressure and had to defend well. The big part about defending is when the opposition do get through the goalkeeper stands tall and he did that.

"We cannot get enough clean sheets this season. They win you games and it was disappointing to wait three games before one this season.

"There's players in this team who are matchwinners, who can win you games - the likes of Boyd, Porter, Proctor, Butler, Daly and they have done it for us.''

Result: Doncaster Rovers 0 Hartlepool United 1.

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