Milwall 0 Hartlepool United 1

WHILE the job of a holding midfielder may be en vogue in today's game, perhaps the role isn't really all it's quite cracked up to be.

Gareth Southgate hinted as much earlier this season, insisting that during the majority of his playing days midfielders were asked to do everything - go box to box, score goals, defend and tackle.

Hartlepool United's central midfield pairing of Antony Sweeney and Gary Liddle can add some substance to Southgate's point.

Restored in tandem in the middle of the park, Sweeney's goal was enough for a win at Millwall.

And it was enough for the pair to keep up their impressive record as a partnership.

Liddle, 21, and Sweeney, 24, don't lose many games when they are in the same team.

Neither of them is especially disciplined in the role of holding the midfield together, but there's no doubting either their understanding or their record.

In 24 league games on the same teamsheet last season, Pools won 16 times and drew five. This season, prior to Saturday, they had started one game as a pair, it lasted for all of 38 minutes but it was enough for Pools to be leading against Oldham and ultimately win 4-1.

Liddle played his share of games in defence last season, Sweeney appeared on the right wing five times, but their record stands up for itself.

Neither player is in the Willie Boland or Jamie McCunnie mould, that of Pools' two holding options in the middle of the park. Instead, with as much energy as young puppies, they both prefer to roam and get forward.

But when one goes forward, the other sits in. They are not quite growling guard dogs, but their discipline cannot be questioned.

And it was Sweeney who went forward to great affect after 51 minutes at the New Den.

An intricate move on the left moved inside towards Richard Barker and his lay-off teed up Sweeney.

Without hesitation he thumped high into the net from 25 yards for his first goal since January 27, when he netted against Bury.

"It was a strike I was really pleased with, probably the best I've scored,'' he admitted. "I've not been playing too much in the early part of this season, so it was nice to show the manager and fans what I can do.

"Maybe there was a bit of tiredness in the shot which is why I took it early!

"When you get in that position, it's about taking the chance when it comes. Have a go - I'll do that any day.

"It was a great lay off by Barks and it fell nicely for me.

"It's great to be back in the team and now it's all down to me to keep my place. I hope I've done enough to stay in.

"I've been getting some stick from the lads that I don't score enough goals from outside the box - I think this one was outside the box.''

And he added: "I've played a lot of games with Lidds, we train together and do all the midfield drills together so we know each other's game inside out.

"I thought we did quite well together in this game. Now it's up to us to keep that run going and if we do that we will both still be in the side and both be happy.

"I think we compliment each other well, we both like to get forward and we know if one of us gets forward, the other one will sit in and defend.

"I think with Willie in there you know he is going to be sitting in there behind you and holding things together. With me and Lids there's a lot more communication and there has to be because we have to be disciplined.

"We've been laughing about it and I'm the third longest serving player at the club now and I'm only 24. I don't think I'm a veteran just yet. I've played a lot of games and now I want to add a lot more to that total.''

Pools started their first visit to Millwall since 1965 like they meant business, creating a string of early chances and half chances.

But Millwall came back into the game and on half-time Pools were twice thankful to keeper Jan Budtz for vital stops.

There was some 31 attempts on goal - 15 on target - and Pools were given a let off when Bryan Hodge sent a free header wide after escaping the defence from a free-kick.

The inquisition hinted he was Ali Gibb's man. That aside, he gave a more than comfortable performance at right back. Granted he wasn't put under as much pressure as the full back at the opposite end of the pitch, Gibb was no worse - and probably an improvement in possession - than Danny Coles who last week ended his loan spell.

Ahead of Gibb and James Brown will have left Andy Frampton scarred. Brown never failed to run at him and attack the space ahead.

It's hard to recall Brown being stopped in his tracks and the Millwall faithful spent their time trying to bark out ways of stopping him.

And they weren't very nice ways either.