IT'S a while since Hartlepool United returned from Hillsborough with anything other than a defeat.

In the nine years since Pools won a Carling Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday, they have lost five times and never looked like breaking that duck.

So with the manager who oversaw the 2003 penalty shoot-out victory back at the club, Neale Cooper led his team to a point on Saturday.

And it was one of his key players from last time around who earned a point on their latest visit.

Antony Sweeney wasn't a regular in Cooper's plans just yet when Gavin Strachan slotted in the winning spot kick in August 2003.

But the midfielder soon went on to become a mainstay of the side and now, with 365 appearances to his credit, he's one of the first names on Cooper's team sheet.

He earned a reputation as a scoring midfielder but goals have been harder to come by this season after 15 in the last campaign.

The way, however, he stroked home the equaliser at Hillsborough you wouldn't think so.

James Brown's header dropped into his path 25 yards out. With Nicky Weaver off his line, Sweeney's controlled volley lifted over the keeper and high into the net.

Scoring in the manner they did, coming back after going 2-1 behind, epitomises the endeavour and effort Cooper demands from his players.

After scoring the leveller, Sweeney, deep into injury time, closed down Danny Batth by chasing halfway across the pitch to put the centre-half under unexpected pressure and force some worry.

Effort and application are the bare minimum values Cooper expects.

"Obviously I've worked with Neale before so I know what he is all about, but there are lads who are getting to know him,'' said Sweeney after the 54th goal of his Pools career.

"He is passionate, expects 100 per cent and if you give that he will be full of praise for you.

"In periods when it hasn't been going well for us in the last few games, then we have gave our all and defended as a team. With a few more goals going forward there is a basis for a good season.

"When he was here last time he was a lot more angry than he is now, he may have mellowed a bit now!

"But I'm sure someone will get a rocket sometime. He's a top man and gives people the confidence to go out and express themselves.''

He added: "Neale Cooper has come back and it's like he's never been away. Obviously the first day was a bit quiet as he didn't really know the lads, apart from a few.

"Now he knows us more he's the same person. There's a lot of laughing and joking and training has been good with Micky and Humphs taking the sessions as well. But spirits are only high when you are getting results on the pitch.''

This was a decent game in which neither side allowed their game to dip. The biggest failings came in front of goal, where Wednesday striker Gary Madine could have scored three in the first-half and Pools' teenager Luke James missed the best opening.

Madine was denied by a double block from Neil Austin and then Scott Flinders before he screwed wastefully wide from six yards.

James' chance came when he latched onto a loose Rob Jones header and was presented with a one on one chance with Weaver.

He tried to knock the ball around the keeper, but only knocked it yards out of his path and the chance was lost.

Peter Hartley gave Pools the lead, meeting Evan Horwood's corner to plant a header in.

But substitute Jermaine Johnson levelled, running 60 yards with the ball and brushing off Steve Haslam and Horwood too easily before shooting low across Flinders.

Madine was presented with a chance after Hartley's attempted pass from the back was intercepted and he made no mistake this time.

But the never-say-die attitude came to the fore and Sweeney's goal was just reward.

"It's nice to come here and finally get something,'' said Sweeney. "It's been a long time since we have. We never seem to get anything against them. Even at home against them this season they scored from a long throw and you think you can get something from the game and keep going.

"We've come here a few times and played OK but got beat. It's a nice play to come and play football, even better with a positive result for once.''