Hartlepool face FA charge HARTLEPOOL United and Brighton were yesterday charged by the Football Association following last weekend's stormy clash at Victoria Park.

The charge, of failing to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, came as no surprise to Pools, whose goalkeeping coach, George Wood, faces a separate charge of improper conduct.

He clashed with Brighton winger Dean Cox as the teams left the field at half-time.

Wood was incensed by Cox's role in the incident with led to Pools midfielder Willie Boland being dismissed minutes before.

But the main charge relates to events at the final whistle.

Pools were angered by the reaction of Brighton defender Tommy Elphick when his side netted an injury- time winner.

Pools striker Richard Barker squared up to the defender - he this week labelled him "unprofessional and inhumane" - and, moments later, at the final whistle, players from both sides clashed.

Barker will lead the Pools forward line today at Millwall but defender Danny Coles won't be in the side. His loan spell from Hull City ended on Thursday and he swiftly signed a three-month loan deal with Bristol Rovers.

Coles played for Pools and helped them keep a clean sheet against the Pirates last month.

The Bristolian last night said: "I'm proud to be playing for Bristol Rovers. I played against them a few weeks ago during my loan spell at Hartlepool, who I thought were fortunate to come away with the three points "Rovers put us under immense pressure and we had our backs to the wall. They hit the bar and it was only their final touch that was missing."

With regular right back Jamie McCunnie suspended and Coles gone, Ali Gibb will start at right back at the New Den this afternoon.

He was withdrawn from the midweek reserve game with Leeds with today in mind.

Micky Barron has yet to play this season for Wilson's side and is now a regular in the reserves, while eyeing up a move into coaching in the future.

The club captain played in the midweek defeat at Leeds for Ian Butterworth's side and admitted: "I had a couple of niggles, just old age catching up, but I train every day and I am there if the manager needs me.

"But he has some good players in the squad here so I have to wait and see what happens.''

With Barron's first-team chances curtailed, the club stalwart is considering a move into coaching.

He has already helped out at times this season and admitted: "Hopefully, as the season goes on, I will play for the reserves and if not I can go along and see what Buts does.

"As the season progresses I may be able to take a few reserve games myself - it would be good to see how I can handle that.

"It is just a continuation of what I have done on the pitch.

"Someone pointed out to me that they didn't think I could shout as much when I am not playing as I do when I am!

"But it is good playing for the reserves because you can help the younger lads, and not just from the sidelines.

"It has been good, I have taken a few coaching sessions and warm-ups and the manager and Buts have been great.

"As the season goes on perhaps I can step that up and any time the manager or Buts needs me to take a group of lads I would be more than happy to do that.

"I have my final assessment for my UEFA B coming up but I am not saying when.

"Hopefully I can get that passed and then crack on with my A badge.''