Hartlepool United

Hartlepool v Torquay
Hartlepool have captain Micky Barron available for the first time this term after he recovered from a groin problem sustained during pre-season. Midfielder Tony Sweeney is available after recovering from a blow to the head during the defeat at Walsall. Torquay have a trio of defenders facing late fitness tests for the match. Steve Reed is still struggling with an ankle injury, while Stev Angus (groin) and skipper Craig Taylor (back) were both injured playing against Lincoln.

Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay
Substitute Lee Bullock scored Hartlepool's first goal of the season in the deserved draw. Hartlepool's Joel Porter hit the bar early on before Torquay took an early lead when Martin Phillips tapped in from virtually on the line. James Brown also hit the bar and Torquay goalkeeper Nathan Abbey saved well from substitute David Foley. Pool claimed the point when Bullock poked home from close range after Ben Clark had headed back across goal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Sweeney, Tinkler (Strachan 45), Humphreys (Bullock 65), Eifion Williams, Porter (Foley 37), Brown. Subs Not Used: Provett, Proctor. Booked: Clark, Tinkler, Foley, Darren Williams, Eifion Williams. Goals: Bullock 81. Torquay: Abbey, Andrews, Woods, Angus, Hill, Ward (McPhee 84), Mansell, Garner, Phillips (Hockley 68), Evans, Thorpe. Subs Not Used: Horsell, Villis, Motteram. Booked: Woods, Garner. Goals: Phillips 5. Att: 3,688. Ref: A Taylor (Cheshire).

First-half display upsets Wilson
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson called on his side to \"start doing the simple things better\" after they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Torquay. \"I wasn't pleased with the first 45 minutes,\" Wilson said. \"To go 1-0 down in the circumstances we did was very poor - we didn't concentrate to get the first header away, and we were punished for ut. \"But there was some terrific commitment from the boys in the second half, and thankfully we nicked a goal.\"

Wilson thrilled by penalty heroes
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson shrugged off any controversy surrounding the penalty that helped his League Two team upset Burnley in the Carling Cup. \"If Joel Porter had stayed down from the first tackle the referee would not have given the free-kick,\" said Wilson. \"But he managed to get to his feet very quickly and was hauled down again, so there was no doubt about the penalty. \"We've had problems with penalties but the way that Joel kept composure was commendable. I thought he may pass it.\"

Wilson hopes to strengthen squad
Hartlepool United manager Danny Wilson remains keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the transfer window deadline at the end of August. Wilson has recruited midfielder Willie Boland and on-loan Middlesbrough defender Gary Liddle but now has a striker on his wanted list. Wilson said: \"We are still looking. We can't not look. There are still areas where we are a little bit short. \"That will continue and I hope we can get them in. Next week will tell.\"

Hereford 3-1 Hartlepool
Hartlepool are still looking for their first win of the season despite dominating for long spells at Hereford. Eifion Williams squandered Pool's best chance of the first half before Tim Sills' struck for the hosts, Dimitrios Konstantopoulos fumbling his header. Rob Purdie extended Hereford's lead from the spot but Pool soon pulled one back, James Brown working some space before firing home from eight yards. Pool continued to threaten but Andy Williams sealed the win for the hosts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hereford: Tynan, McClenahan, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Giles, Travis, Rose, Ferrell, Purdie (Wallis 80), Sills (Williams 71), Fleetwood (Connell 70). Subs Not Used: Thompson, Gulliver. Booked: Mkandawire. Goals: Sills 33, Purdie 51 pen, Williams 73. Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Liddle, Nelson, Brackstone, Eifion Williams, Bullock, Sweeney, Robson, Porter, Proctor (Brown 52). Subs Not Used: Provett, Clark, Humphreys, Strachan. Booked: Liddle. Goals: Brown 53. Att: 3,156 Ref: M Jones (Mansfield).

Wilson delighted with first win
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson was pleased with his team's resilience after they beat Boston 2-1 for their first league win of the season. \"They are all good wins when you have not had one all season,\" Wilson told the club's website. \"I thought the manner in which we got the win was very, very dogged. \"It was a physical game for us and it was very difficult for us to play at times but I think we were full value for the win.\"

Humphreys makes Vale loan switch
Port Vale have signed midfielder Ritchie Humphreys on an initial month-long loan deal from Hartlepool. Vale boss Martin Foyle told his club's website: \"We have had a great start to the season and it is better to freshen things up when we are near the top.\" Humphreys, 28, had started 230 consecutive league games for Pools before losing his place recently. Vale hope to extend the deal for the former Sheffield Wednesday player to keep him at Vale Park for three months.

MK Dons 0-0 Hartlepool
Hartlepool had to settle for a point at Milton Keynes after James Brown missed their fourth penalty of the season. Drissa Diallo's foul on Matty Robson provided Pools' penalty but Brown's kick was saved by keeper Adolfo Baines who denied Ali Gibb from the rebound. Robson and Gary Liddle both went close as Pools dominated the second half. The Dons almost snatched it when Clive Platt saw his volley cleared off the line by Liddle and his close-range toe-poke then hit the woodwork. Milton Keynes Dons: Baines, Edds, Lewington, Chorley, Diallo (Rizzo 73), Dyer, Andrews (Mitchell 90), Wilbraham, McGovern, Platt, Taylor (Hastings 67). Subs Not Used: Bankole, Tillen. Booked: Andrews, Rizzo, Chorley. Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Robson, Nelson, Liddle, Darren Williams, Clark, Boland, Sweeney, Gibb (Eifion Williams 76), Daly (Bullock 79), Brown (Porter 81). Subs Not Used: Strachan, Provett. Booked: Nelson. Att: 5,630. Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Wilson bemoans Pools' penalty woe
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson was at a loss to explain his side's inability to convert from the spot after they were held 0-0 by Milton Keynes Dons. James Brown was the guilty party as the visitors missed their fourth penalty of the season and Wilson said: \"The referee had to give it, it was blatant. \"But unfortunately we've missed another one. It's not the same player missing it so we've just got to get on with it. \"Otherwise I thought we did well and we've more than matched a good side.\"

Hartlepool v Mansfield
Hartlepool will be without midfielder Mark Tinkler (achilles) and striker Michael Proctor (knee). Defender John Brackstone serves the second game of a three-match ban for his dismissal against Boston. Mansfield boss Peter Shirtliff is likely to stick with the same side that crushed Hereford. On-loan Leicester defender Alan Sheehan will retain his place and Jake Buxton will deputise if Gareth Jelleyman fails to recover from a knock.

Wilson pleased with Porter brace
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson was pleased to see Joel Porter score both goals in the 2-0 win over Mansfield after holding talks with the striker. \"We had a sit down and a good chat with Joel,\" Wilson explained. \"He knows what we are thinking, and hopefully what that's done is take a bit of pressure off him, and when the chances come he can stick them away. \"When James Brown hit the post you hope it's not going to be another one of those days, but the lads kept going.\"

Hartlepool v Shrewsbury
Hartlepool have Joel Porter pushing for a place after he scored twice against Mansfield having come on as a substitute in midweek. But Jon Daly and James Brown may still get the nod, while defender John Brackstone completes a three-match ban. Shrewsbury are likely to keep the same side that won 3-0 at Stockport. Andy Cooke hit a hat-trick and is set to be partnered up front once more by Derek Asamoah, while winger Chris Humphrey could return on the bench.

Hartlepool v Wrexham
Hartlepool midfielder Antony Sweeney will be out for a month after damaging knee ligaments and is likely to be replaced by Willie Boland. Mark Tinkler is still struggling with a Achilles problem while striker Michael Proctor has had knee surgery and will be out until after Christmas. Wrexham midfielder Darren Ferguson has an ankle problem and could miss out. Already ruled out are Neil Roberts (ankle), Lee McEvilly (foot), Shaun Pejic (heel) and Levi Mackin (knee).

Wilson expecting Pools response
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson has backed his side to bounce back quickly from Friday's 2-0 defeat at Lincoln. Pools saw their run of three consecutive wins came to an end at Sincil Bank and Wilson insisted: \"We can't cry over spilt milk. \"It was end-to-end stuff and they just caught us well on the break, but we've now got to make sure we get the right response from the players. \"It was the same old story - we created lots of chances but we were punished.\" Wilson added: \"I thought David Foley did well for us when he came on. He's got great pace and he set up some good chances but it just wasn't our night.\"

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