NEALE Cooper hailed his "mountain men" after his Hartlepool United players secured a point at Sheffield Wednesday.

Pools stood up to the physical test at Hillsborough to earn a 2-2, thanks to Antony Sweeney's late leveller.

Three weeks earlier, Pools went to Sheffield United and were turned over 3-0. The contrast in styles between United and Wednesday couldn't be more different, but the difference is Pools' displays were equally marked.

"They were mountain men, because they hung on towards the end when we were getting bombarded,'' he said.

"The conditions were horrendous for both sides but considering that, I thought it was quite an entertaining game. It was backs-to-the-wall in the first half a wee bit.

"But we knew it would be like that coming here, they're a big, strong side.

"But I thought the boys dealt with it.

"I was really pleased with the effort we put in and we played some really good stuff second half.

"I'm really proud of the players and everything they put in.''

Cooper refuted suggestions the upturn in fortunes is solely down to his return the club.

There is a new-found confidence about the players since they broke their Victoria Park duck and beat Rochdale 3-0 two weeks ago.

But he said: "It's thanks to the players that I've made an impact.

"They know what I'm looking for and it's a happy place to come and work.

"Ritchie (Humphreys) and Micky (Barron) make it happy as well.

"They know I want high-tempo football and never to give up.''

After leading 1-0, Pools trailed 2-1 after Gary Madine's 77th minute strike and Cooper added: "It's backs-to-the-wall stuff again but then Antony Sweeney scored a goal like that.

"I thought he was excellent and his work-rate and commitment were great. But what a goal to equalise.

"The fans were ecstatic behind that goal and we say thank you to the supporters who came, because they were brilliant for the whole game.

"And I hope they went home happy.''