Hartlepool United

Wrexham lose Llewellyn and Morgan
The exodus from the Racecourse has continued, with Wrexham defender Craig Morgan joining MK Dons and striker Chris Llewellyn signing for Hartlepool. They follow top-scorer Juan Ugarte, who signed for Crewe on Monday. Wales Under-21 defender Craig Morgan, 19, joins the Dons on a two-year contract for an undisclosed five-figure transfer fee. The price for Wales striker Llewellyn, 25, is also undisclosed, but he had a year left on his Dragons contract.

Hartlepool sign striker Proctor
Hartlepool boss Martin Scott has strengthened his strikeforce ahead of the new League One campaign by signing Michael Proctor. The striker is joining Hartlepool United on a free transfer. The 24-year-old forward played for Rotherham last season but could not prevent the Millers from being relegated from the Championship. Proctor scored eight goals in 47 league and cup appearances during his time the Millmoor club.

Hartlepool complete Williams deal
Hartlepool have completed the signing of former Sunderland and Cardiff City defender Darren Williams. The 28-year-old, who made 200 League apperances for Sunderland, agreed terms and completed his move after passing a medical at Victoria Park on Tuesday. "He is a proven quality player who has performed well in the Championship and Premiership," said boss Martin Scott, who has given Williams the No 23 shirt. "To get the opportunity to sign him was one that we couldn't overlook." Scott added: "When Chris Westwood left we just felt that it was an area we needed to strengthen and in my opinion there is nobody better to bring in than Darren Williams." Williams had been offered a new deal by former Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence, but that was withdrawn when Dave Jones took over the Ninian Park reins.

Scott salutes hard-working Pools
Boss Martin Scott felt Hartlepool "showed our character" as they claimed a 1-0 victory at Doncaster. "Doncaster had their chances and we rode our luck a little, but our defence held firm," Scott explained. "The back four were superb and (keeper) Dimi Konstantopoulos was excellent when called upon, so I was delighted to see them keep a clean sheet. "Jon Daly worked hard and deserved his goal, but it was a game for hard work and we ground out a result."

Hartlepool 3-1 Darlington
Substitute Michael Proctor scored twice as Hartlepool edged into the second round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over north-east rivals Darlington. Jon Daly bundled Hartlepool in front after 25 minutes as the home team dominated early on. Proctor came on after 64 minutes and, 11 minutes later, he doubled the lead after charging down a clearance. Carlos Logan pulled one back with a low shot but, when Daly's header rebounded off the bar late on, Proctor tapped in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Nelson, Collins, Robson, Butler, Sweeney, Strachan, Humphreys, Boyd (Proctor 65), Daly (Bullock 90). Subs Not Used: Provett, Llewellyn, Clark. Booked: Butler, Proctor. Goals: Daly 26, Proctor 76, 88. Darlington: Bossu, Martis (Duke 74), Clarke, Hutchinson, Valentine, Wainwright, Dickman (Jameson 90), Peacock, Logan, Wijnhard (Sodje 59), Johnson. Subs Not Used: Webster, Appleby. Booked: Johnson. Goals: Logan 81. Att: 6,163 Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).

Pools boss hails fortunate point
Hartlepool boss Martin Scott was relieved after they battled back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Scunthorpe. "I'm obviously delighted to get a point - but from our point of view it was a 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card," he said. "We weren't playing well, but we have shown massive character as we could have gone under at two goals down. "It shows a great togetherness and willingness to dig in. I don't know if it was a penalty or not at the end, but sometimes things go for you."

Striker Wilkinson nets Pools deal
Hartlepool have given striker Jack Wilkinson a professional contract after he impressed during his scholarship. The 20-year-old has already scored twice for the first team since joining from Scarborough. "He's an exciting talent and hopefully he can take the next step on the ladder," boss Martin Scott told the club website. "With the injuries we have there is no doubt he is right there fighting for a place in the first team squad."

Hartlepool 2-2 Swansea
Antony Sweeney earned Hartlepool a draw after they dominated for large periods against League One leaders Swansea. Ritchie Humphreys fired a 25-yard cracker from a short free-kick to give Hartlepool a deserved first-half lead. Below-par Swansea hit back after the break when Lee Trundle struck twice in five minutes - the second from the rebound after his penalty was saved. But the home side secured a point when Sweeney headed home Michael Maidens' cross 15 minutes from time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys, Maidens (Istead 80), Sweeney, Tinkler (Turnbull 63), Butler, Proctor (Foley 63), Daly. Subs Not Used: Provett, Jones. Booked: Butler. Goals: Humphreys 25, Sweeney 76. Swansea: Gueret, Tate, Monk, Iriekpen, Ricketts, Robinson, Bean, Martinez, McLeod, Connor (Thorpe 15), Trundle, Thorpe (Austin 89). Subs Not Used: Murphy, Goodfellow, MacDonald. Booked: Tate. Goals: Trundle 56, 61. Att: 4,743 Ref: T Leake (Lancashire).

Scott happy at Pools performance
Manager Martin Scott was pleased with Hartlepool's performance as they drew 2-2 with League One leaders Swansea. "Swansea are a good side, but I thought we caused them problems. We created chances, and at half-time we looked comfortable," Scott said. "They came more into the game in the second half, and took advantage of a couple of defensive slip-ups, so I was disappointed not to get three points. "But it was great to see the young lads do well. There were lots of positives."

Charlton 3-1 Hartlepool
Darren Bent came off the bench to help fire Charlton into the third round of the Carling Cup. The visitors took a shock lead five minutes before the break when Thomas Butler picked out Jon Daly to drill a low shot into the bottom corner. Charlton soon equalised when Lloyd Sam was felled in the box and Jonatan Johansson scored from the spot. Bent headed the Addicks ahead and fellow substitute Jay Bothroyd drilled in a fine strike to seal their passage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlton: Myhre, Young, Spector, Sorondo, Hreidarsson, Sam, Smertin (Murphy 68), Holland, Thomas, Johansson (Bothroyd 75), Bartlett (Bent 45). Subs Not Used: Andersen, Fortune. Booked: Bothroyd, Spector. Goals: Johansson 43 pen, Bent 73, Bothroyd 80. Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys, Istead (Llewellyn 57), Sweeney, Tinkler (Turnbull 81), Butler, Proctor, Daly (Foley 72). Subs Not Used: Provett, Jones. Booked: Humphreys. Goals: Daly 40. Att: 10,328 Ref: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).

Striker Boyd reveals injury agony
Hartlepool striker Adam Boyd says he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up an infection after an operation to cure his injured knee. The 23-year-old hitman limped off in the 1-0 defeat to Yeovil three weeks ago and was facing six weeks out. But he told Pools' website: "I'm not feeling great, I'm disappointed. "I got an infection after the operation so I had to have another two, so it is going to take longer to come back. It is an unfortunate time."

Hartlepool 0-0 Rotherham
Hartlepool extended their winless run to four games after a frustrating goalless draw with Rotherham. Lee Bullock and Thomas Butler were both denied by Rotherham keeper Gary Montgomery in the early stages. At the other end, Michael Keane and Paul McLaren were both off target while defender Shaun Barker's header was saved by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos. Montgomery needed two attempts to hold Butler's shot after the break while Keane had a goal disallowed for a foul. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys, Llewellyn (Maidens 62), Sweeney, Tinkler (Turnbull 67), Butler, Proctor, Bullock (Foley 70). Subs Not Used: Provett, Jones. Booked: Darren Williams, Foley. Rotherham: Montgomery, Worrell, Barker, Murdock, Robertson, Otsemobor, McLaren, Mullin, Keane, Butler, Burton. Subs Not Used: Cutler, Leadbitter, Hurst, Hoskins, Brogan. Booked: Mullin. Att: 4,309 Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

Williams continues Pools comeback
Eifion Williams hopes to be included in the Hartlepool squad to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury. The striker came on as a substitute in Pools 1-0 win at Bristol City last week and is keen to be involved again. He told Pools' website: "I don't know about making the starting line-up as I need to get 90 minutes under my belt. "Once you get out of the side it's hard to get back in it, but I am hoping to do so with my reserves performances."

Boyd nears return after knee op
Hartlepool striker Adam Boyd is almost ready to resume training after four months out with a knee injury. "I have come on in leaps and bounds in the last few weeks, and I can't wait to be out on the pitch," the 23-year-old told the club's website. "My running isn't far off what I was doing in pre-season so everything is looking good. "I'm doing warm-ups with the lads and I'm just waiting for the okay to start full training." Boyd had to undergo surgery after sustaining the knee injury in early September, and his recovery was slowed down after he picked up an infection. Hartlepool have been without both Boyd and strike partner Joel Porter, a combination that scored 47 goals last season.

Boyd hopes for reserve comeback
Hartlepool boss Martin Scott hopes to be able to field striker Adam Boyd in Wednesday's reserve game against Hull. The Pools star has been sidelined with a knee problem since September, but recently returned to training. "We will keep an eye on Adam and decide whether he is fit to travel with the reserves," Scott told Pools' website. "He's a key player for us, and we want him to be back as soon as possible, but we won't be putting him under too much pressure - we'll just see how it goes."

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