THERE was no manager or player of the month awards for Hartlepool United in September.

Five wins in the month saw both Mick Wadsworth and Scott Flinders nominated for their efforts.

But Wadsworth lost out to the man he faces in the opposite dug out tomorrow afternoon, Notts County boss Martin Allen, while Preston's Neil Mellor won the other award.

Neither Wadsworth nor Flinders will get upset about missing out. Tomorrow the goalkeeper will get a chance to showcase his talents with the game televised live on Sky Sports.

Flinders missed a chunk of last season through injury, when he dislocated a thumb in training. This campaign, he has started the season in form.

And Wadsworth has praised the work of Gary Walsh for the improvement.

The former Middlesbrough and Manchester United goalkeeper was appointed at Victoria Park in 2010 and is a key factor in Pools' success this season.

"The goalkeeping coach has been a development in the game in the past 15 years or so,'' said Wadsworth. "Specialised coaching is needed and accepted now. It is vital and a specialised area and Gary's work is top class.

"We are very lucky to have him at the club in terms of experience and knowledge and ability.

"I've worked with a number of goalkeeping coaches and I have to say he is up there with the best of them.

"Last season he helped us out no end by knowing Jake Keane. It was his tip-off and Jake came in on loan and did a fantastic job. But, more importantly, Scott has developed fantastically in the last year, as has Andy Rafferty.

"That side of the club I can feel absolutely relaxed in the knowledge their work is of a top-class nature.

"They do a lot of work with me and the rest of the squad, but do their share alone as a group too.

"It gives Gary a chance to work with him in small sided games, in technical practice, in shooting practice and the team play that we do.

"The keepers have benefited from him at all levels for us - down to youth level.''

Flinders was beaten last week at Victoria Park for the first time from open play this season and has conceded only two goals in five games at home.

And Wadsworth has recognised his improvement this campaign.

"Scott has had a very, very good start to the season,'' he said. "But last year he missed a lot of the season after being injured early on and when he returned he was outstanding.

"He is improving and that's part of our job. His positional play is outstanding and I like it when a goalkeeper isn't diving around making double and triple saves in one play. He comes for crosses and punches the ball 40 yards down the pitch, which I like in a goalkeeper.

"He's not an eccentric character with a very strong appetite for work. He is focused on his work and I dare say if we asked him to work from eight in the morning until six at night he wouldn't complain.

"More than anybody in the club he wants more all the time and has a very good outlook to his craft. He is getting better and he will improve more. He can play a lot higher if he keeps working, he has great experience and is only young.''

Flinders was quick to pay tribute to his team-mates and defenders in front of him for his nomination ahead of tomorrow's game.

"We've got one of the best defensive records in the league and we're not conceding many goals,'' he said. "We've got ten others who are defending for their lives and that has shown.

"Things are highlighted on TV, but once that whistle goes, it's just like any other game.

"It's not until you get back home and watch the game through again that you think you could have done this or that better.

"But we're expecting a tough game.

"Martin Allen's sides are always in your face and up for a battle.

"But we've seen this season that we're a good match for physical teams and we relish these games, especially with it being on TV."