Hartlepool United

Hartlepool v Nott'm Forest
Hartlepool should be able to call upon midfielder Mark Tinkler after he limped out of the defeat to Milton Keynes last weekend suffering from cramp. Anthony Sweeney (groin) is missing as is Gavin Strachan, but young striker James Brown is back in contention. Nottingham Forest keeper Paul Gerrard is in the reckoning again after playing for the reserves in midweek following 10 games out with a knee injury. Forest will equal a club record seven straight wins if they beat Hartlepool.

Hartlepool 3-2 Nott'm Forest
Hartlepool boosted their hopes of League One survival and put paid to Forest's hopes of equalling a club-record run of seven straight wins. Forest went ahead after 15 minutes when Nathan Tyson lobbed keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, before Joel Porter equalised with a powerful header (32). Hartlepool pulled clear through Michael Nelson's deflected 25-yard strike and a Michael Proctor close-range finish. Kris Commons gave Forest hope (67) but the hosts held on for a vital win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Clarke, Sweeney (Darren Williams 71), Humphreys, Proctor, Porter (Istead 81), Eifion Williams (Brown 90). Subs Not Used: Boyd, Provett. Booked: Proctor, Barron. Goals: Porter 32, Nelson 59, Proctor 60. Nottm Forest: Pedersen, Curtis, Morgan, Breckin, Bennett, Clingan (Southall 83), Thompson (Perch 74), Commons, Gary Holt, Tyson, Grant Holt (Lester 58). Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Cullip. Booked: Grant Holt, Gary Holt. Goals: Tyson 15, Commons 67. Att: 5,336. Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Stephenson salutes vital victory
Boss Paul Stephenson paid tribute to Hartlepool's "magnificent effort" as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop. "That was a desperately difficult game, as Forest have been flying," he said. "I asked the lads for a titanic effort to spoil their run, and their effort and teamwork was absolutely brilliant. "Forest were a real threat at the end, but thankfully they didn't have their finishing boots on, and we've hung in there," Stephenson added.

Clarke in stark warning to Pools
Midfielder Darrell Clarke has warned his Hartlepool team-mates that they can not rely on luck to keep them up. Pools are three points adrift of safety, but boosted their survival hopes with a shock 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. "We have been using the word 'unlucky' for the majority of the season, but for how long can you be unlucky?" Clarke told Pools' website. "We have done too much talking, and not had enough action on the pitch."

Brentford v Hartlepool
Brentford are short of strikers for their match against Hartlepool with Lloyd Owusu absent after tearing a groin muscle while playing for Ghana. Isaiah Rankin has a cartilage problem in his knee, but defender Andrew Frampton is available again. Hartlepool may have Lee Bullock (calf) and Mark Tinkler (Achilles) available for their crucial match at Brentford. Gavin Strachan (leg fracture) scored for the reserves last week, but is not expected to be fully-fit to return.

Brentford 1-1 Hartlepool
Michael Nelson's last-minute equaliser threw Hartlepool a slender relegation lifeline and left Brentford's automatic promotion hopes hanging by a thread. Hartlepool dug in to frustrate a blunt Brentford attack in the face of almost constant one-way traffic. Brentford took the lead six minutes from time when Kevin O'Connor curled in a free-kick from the edge of the box. Nelson earlier blazed over from eight yards but made amends by blasting home as Brentford failed to clear a corner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor, Sodje, Turner, Frampton, Brooker (Hutchinson 90), Newman (Rhodes 63), Pratley, Tabb, Gayle, Willock (Rankin 75). Subs Not Used: Tillen, Bankole. Booked: Sodje, Rankin. Goals: O'Connor 84. Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron (Darren Williams 75), Nelson, Clark, Robson, Clarke (Butler 36), Sweeney, Humphreys, Proctor, Porter, Eifion Williams (Boyd 63). Subs Not Used: Provett, Brown. Booked: Butler. Goals: Nelson 90. Att: 8,725 Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).

Williams demands move from Pools
Hartlepool United have accepted a written transfer request from defender Darren Williams. The 29-year-old former Cardiff City player joined the League One club in a the summer of 2005. Middlesbrough-born Williams made 37 starts for the club last season operating mainly at right-back. Williams, who also made 200 League appearances for Sunderland, moved to Victoria Park on a free transfer but has asked to move for personal reasons.

Bantams boss rejects Butler talk
Bradford boss Colin Todd has rejected claims that he is set to sign Hartlepool winger Thomas Butler. Todd hopes to sign an unnamed former Premiership midfielder next week - but it is not the 25-year-old former Sunderland and Dunfermline man. "I don't know where this has cropped up from," he told the Telegraph and Argus. "I even got a phone call from Butler's agent, to ask if I was signing him - but obviously I told him that wasn't the case."

Pools teenager remaining hopeful
Hartlepool striker James Brown hopes he can continue his pre-season form when the League Two campaign begins. The 19-year-old missed most of last season with a knee injury, but scored both goals as Pools beat Leeds 2-1 in Micky Barron's testimonial on Saturday. \"I started well last year and it was a massive disappointment to get injured,\" he told Hartlepool's website. \"I was over the moon to score twice, but that's my job. I just have to wait and see what happens this season.\"

Wilson impressed despite defeat
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson refused to criticise his side after they lost 1-0 at home to Swindon on the opening day - and twice missed from the spot. \"You can't fault the lads. They were brilliant and on another day we could have won by five or six,\" he insisted. \"Missing two penalties was a major blow, but we also hit the bar and post and their keeper had the game of his life - he was incredible. \"I just hope we've used up all our bad luck in one afternoon.\"

Hartlepool face financial squeeze
Hartlepool chairman Ken Hodcroft says manager Danny Wilson must trim his squad if he wants to sign new players. Football League rules mean salaries must not exceed 60% of League Two clubs' turnover, so Hartlepool must tighten their belts after relegation. Wilson has already had to let several key players leave Victoria Park. \"From 15 July we are unable to buy or bring in on loan any players until we reach that requirement,\" Hodcroft revealed in the club programme. \"The departures of Chris Llewellyn, Thomas Butler and Adam Boyd and the loan of Darrell Clarke to Rochdale helps us move towards it. \"However, it also depends on revenue and we receive considerably less from the Football League in this division so we need your (fans') support through the turnstiles.\" Since Pools were relegated in May, Llewellyn has returned to Wrexham, Butler has joined Swansea and Boyd was sold to Luton for £500,000, while Clarke has joined League Two rivals Rochdale on loan.

Wilson hails Williams performance
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson picked out Darren Williams for special praise after his side ground out their first point of the season at Macclesfield. After the 0-0 draw he told the club website: \"Our performance pleased me as this is a tough place to come to. \"I thought we defended well tonight all the way from front to back. \"Darren Williams was superb; he got up well to support the attack and was also solid in defence. We had chances to win but this is something to build on.\"

Wilson demands Pools improvement
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson says his side have to show better battling qualities and hunger after seeing them beaten 2-0 by Walsall. \"It's not about fitness or technique - it's about what's under the shirt and between the ears,\" Wilson said. \"I might need to put a couple of nasty players out there because I think they were being too nice. \"They are a great bunch of lads and have talent but now they need to show desire,\" he told the club website.\"

Walsall 2-0 Hartlepool
Two first-half goals from Dean Keates maintained Walsall's 100% start to the season against battling Hartlepool. The Saddlers skipper hammered his side in front from 20 yards after good work by new recruit Hector Sam. Two minutes later, home goalkeeper Clayton Ince saved Gavin Strachan's penalty after Anthony Gerrard had tripped Eifion Williams. Walsall made the visitors pay when Keates volleyed his second after Martin Butler's cross had been half-cleared. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walsall: Ince, Westwood, Gerrard, Roper, Taylor, Wright, Kinsella (Pead 69), Keates, Fox, Butler (Demontagnac 85), Sam (Constable 68). Subs Not Used: Dann, Mckeown. Booked: Demontagnac. Goals: Keates 18, 29. Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Sweeney (Maidens 49), Tinkler (Brackstone 66), Strachan, Humphreys, Porter, Eifion Williams (Brown 60). Subs Not Used: Bullock, Provett. Att: 5,637. Ref: F Graham (Essex).

Pools' transfer embargo is lifted
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson can now strengthen his squad after the club's transfer embargo was lifted. Pools were prevented from signing players as their playing budget exceeded the 60% of turnover permitted in League Two by the Football League. However, a number of players have recently left and funding from the club's owners has been restructured. New figures were presented to the League, and Pools have announced that they now comply with the regulations. Wilson is now expected to pursue new signings, with his side yet to win a game.

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