Heroic Russell denies Hartlepool

PRE-MATCH entertainment at Victoria Park saw Keedie, a classical singer, entertain the crowd.

But this somewhat out of tune Hartlepool - Darlington derby couldn't be described as a classic.

Nessun Dorma, memorably covered by Pavarotti in 1990, formed the bedrock of her impressive three-song set.

In translation, Nessun Dorma means 'let no-one sleep'. Yet there were plenty of opportunities to doze off during this affair, which was lacking in real derby bite as neither side found a breakthrough.

One tried all game to get it, the other didn't have the willingness to go for it.

Quakers, in front of manager-elect Dave Penney, were content to sit back and allow the home side to dominate possession.

But, not for the first time this season, Pools were unable to turn their superiority into goals

When they did look like scoring they found keeper Sam Russell in fine form.

The last time these sides played out a goalless draw was back in 1990, when Mark Prudhoe single-handedly kept out a rampant Pools attack.

Neither the attack nor the keeper was as inspirational this time, but when Russell dived to keep out Micky Nelson's header, there were shades of Prudhoe's heroics.

Having their first pot shot after 23 seconds set the tone and Pools continued to lord the lion's share of possession and territorial advantage. They had ten shots on goal to Quakers' none.

The fact that Dimi Konstantopoulos had nothing to trouble him says enough, as Martin Gray's gamble in playing Julian Joachim failed to pay off.

He was well off the pace and wasn't willing, or able, to motor out of first gear with his hamstring problems in mind.

Seeing his name on the teamsheet proved more of a worry for the home side than his performance and, by 5pm, Pools were pleased with their display disappointed with the result; Quakers were pleased with the result, somewhat underwhelmed by the performance.

Speaking after the game and before Penney had been offered the manager's job, Gray admitted he was proud of his players and their determination.

"I don't think I could have done any more during my games in charge - I've had two games away from home, picked up two points, and I've won a home game,'' he said.

"There was commitment in the performance and if there wasn't then you would be asking yourself questions.

"Those players put their bodies on the line for me and I'm proud of every one of them.''

Gray, a fierce derby competitor in his playing days, added: "Players will only do so much for you. If the players are playing for you, then you have a chance.''

The attitude of Gray and the team was a million miles away from the couldn't-care-less attitude of Tommy Taylor, who dismissed a 4-1 thumping as just another game.

His outlook that day transferred to his players, just as Gray's did on Saturday.

For Pools, it was seen as two more home points dropped. It's not the first time this season they have been the dominant force at home and not won.

It's three wins, three draws and two defeats at Victoria Park and a more consistent return is needed if they are to push for the top seven.

"It was very positive from my point of view and we played very positively throughout, especially in the second half,'' said manager Danny Wilson. "I don't think they troubled our keeper once.

"We were turning the screw as the game went on and we were very unlucky not to win.

"It's two points dropped, depending on how you look at it. It's a good point on one hand in a derby game with a terrific atmosphere. It's not easy at times to play in those games, to perform how they would perform in normal games.

"But they were outstanding at times, particularly in their discipline, and with their football as well. We took the game to them from the start and we controlled the game.

"From a Darlington perspective they have defended well - and I'm sure Martin was pleased with that - we just needed that little bit of luck.

"The keeper has had an absolute blinder again. It was a bit like the Swindon game from that point of view.

"I thought Micky Nelson's header was in, I thought Gary Liddle's shot at the end was in. Somehow it's been cleared off the line, but it's just that bit of luck we need.''

Quakers' attempts to rule Joachim out of the game all last week didn't convince anyone in the opposition camp, but their efforts were more convincing than the performance of their £100,000 striker.

The last time he played at Victoria Park, he utterly tormented Pools, scoring one and making two for Walsall. On this occasion, the only tormented one was Joachim.

Wilson admitted: "It didn't surprise us at all that Joachim played, I think we all expected it. It was more of a surprise that he was taken off at half-time. I think he's a quality player and one you have to watch all day and we handled him very well.''

Gray said: "It was a little bit unfair on Simon (Johnson) not starting, but I just felt that given what Julian has done in the past, this was the type of game where he could have made a difference.

"Simon came on for us last week, livened the game up and got a goal. In the second half I thought he caused problems this time.

"His work ethic was fantastic and he did everything we asked of him, which was to get in behind their defenders.''

Gray, who will be Penney's right-hand man after the former Doncaster boss is installed today, added: "It was tough and I don't think there's any getting away from that. They were on top for the last 20 minutes, which you would expect.

"Hartlepool are a good, strong, powerful team and I think they will win lots of home games.

"I'm just so pleased with our performance. I said at half-time that we need to get nearer them, which I thought we did a lot better in the second half.

"We see lots of derbiess, where players stand off, but there was commitment from both teams.

"I told the boys that it was important we control our discipline well and not get anyone sent off, but at the same time we had to compete.

"I thought we could have kept the ball a lot better in the second half because we were giving it away quickly and cheaply.

"In the second half we had better spells where we kept it for long periods. We created the odd chance after half-time.

"I livened up the team talk at half-time, which is what you have to do sometimes, but that's your job.

"I told a few truths and told one or two that they needed to stand up and be counted. I asked them to be honest and were they doing enough? I don't think we had that in the first half.

"It's a tough place to come, they are a good team and if they put that kind of performance in for the rest of the season they will be there or thereabouts.''

In front of Victoria Park's biggest crowd for a league game since Chris Turner brought his Sheffield Wednesday side in November 2003, a Darlington player went closest to opening the scoring on 18 minutes.

Nelson swept a 60-yard pass to Matty Robson and his cross from the left was headed at goal by right back Brian Close. The firm connection meant Russell had to react quickly.

Soon afterwards a searching pass by Wille Boland - the pick of the game's midfielders - found Jon Daly, who fed David Foley. He took a touch before smashing a volley wide from 12 yards.

It was 37 minutes before Quakers had possession of any kind. Alun Armstrong, Brian Close and Martin Smith all linked up on the left side and the string of seven passes, which led to a corner, was their longest stint with the ball.

Foley then tore beyond Matt Clarke, dinked his cross up over Russell and Robson looked certain to score a carbon copy of his goal against Stockport two weeks earlier. His task at the back post of nodding home was stopped, however, by Patrick Collins.

Smith could have been more convincing in his claims for a penalty just after the break. He was held back by Micky Barron as he got into the area, but stayed focused on shooting and only appealed to Mark Clattenburg once his shot was blocked.

Russell kept Robson's volley out and substitute Brown missed the game's clearest chance. Latching on to Ritchie Humphreys' pass, he had plenty of time and space to pick his spot as Russell stayed on his line.

But the teenager tried to lift the ball high beyond the keeper and it cleared the crossbar.

Then came Russell's finest moment, as he went full-stretch to push out Micky Nelson's header from a long Humphreys throw.

In injury time, Liddle looked certain to win it for Pools. His powerful, steered volley from eight yards fizzed through the goalmouth only for Neil Wainwright to hack it off the line.