MARK Tinkler hasn't seen a lot of Dean McDonald, but he has already witnessed enough to be impressed.

The on-loan Ipswich striker made an impressive first start in Saturday's win at Bradford City, causing problems aplenty as Hartlepool United recorded their fifth away win of the season.

Midfielder Tinkler netted the winner, but he was quick to praise the work of both McDonald and strike partner Chris Llewellyn.

"The strikers set the tone for us by closing down from the front and making themselves available,'' said Tinkler.

"Young Deano has impressed everyone. He's got all kinds of tricks and he worked hard as well with Chris. They looked very comfortable up front together.

"He got the ball into feet, never lost it when he had possession and always came looking for it. He was dropping wide, which pulled their defenders all over.

"As a midfielder it's always good when you have strikers like that who are coming looking for the ball and wanting possession. They could get it from the midfield and give it back, then they were looking to get in behind them, so we always had options.

"The full-backs played some great balls down the flanks for the strikers to get on to and they caused plenty of problems.

"They've never played together before but they had a good understanding straightaway.''

Pool were rarely troubled by the Bantams and Tinkler added: "We started really well and even in the first couple of minutes penned them back in their own box, as we worked hard and closed them down, which set the tone.

"We worked our socks off and had some good possession, but in the second half we might have given the ball away a bit too much.

"The difference was that when we lost the ball we were determined to win it back straightaway and our workrate was very good.''

Pool will ask Ipswich boss Joe Royle for permission to play McDonald in Saturday's FA Cup round two tie with Tamworth at Victoria Park.

Micky Barron could make his first start of the season, as defender Neill Collins - at Pool on a half-season loan from Sunderland - won't be allowed to play. The Black Cats refused Pool permission to field him in the first round.

Read more about Hartlepool here.