Hartlepool United

Williams faces spell on sidelines
Hartlepool United full-back Darren Williams has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a calf injury. Williams, who picked up the knock in last Friday's defeat at Lincoln City, has been an ever-present so far for Pools this season. Manager Danny Wilson told his club's website: \"It is a real disappointment for us because he has been very solid. \"It's a blow for him and for me because of his form and we will miss him, but it presents a chance for someone else.\"

Hartlepool v Stockport
Hartlepool captain Micky Barron is set for his first start of the season following groin and hip injuries. Darren Williams (calf) could be out for four weeks although Ritchie Humphreys is available after returning from his loan spell with Port Vale. Stockport manager Jim Gannon has no fresh injury worries for the trip. Michael Rose (toe) is back in training but will not be in contention, while defender Michael Raynes is waiting for clearance to return.

Hartlepool 1-1 Stockport
Stockport survived a one-sided second half to take a share of the points away from a strong Hartlepool side. The visitors took the lead when Pool keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos punched the ball into the roof of his own net - although Andy Griffin claimed the goal. Hartlepool equalised before the break when Matty Robson headed in Joel Porter's cross from close-range. But they could not score again as Porter and Michael Maidens were off-target and Ben Clark hit the bar. Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Gibb (Maidens 49), Boland (Foley 86), Liddle, Robson, Daly, Porter (Bullock 90). Subs Not Used: Provett, Brackstone. Booked: Daly, Barron. Goals: Robson 43. Stockport: Ruddy, Griffin, Owen, Clare, Williams, Briggs (Allen 77), Dinning, Taylor, Poole, Le Fondre, Bramble (Dickinson 76). Subs Not Used: Spencer, Robinson, Malcolm. Booked: Bramble, Dickinson. Goals: Griffin 30. Att: 4,372 Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).

Chester v Hartlepool
Chester have no injury worries ahead of the visit of Hartlepool. Defenders Ashley Westwood, Sean Hessey and Phil Bolland have shaken off knocks while Jamie Hand's one-match suspension does not begin until next week. Hartlepool could be without Ali Gibb and Joel Porter after both picked up minor injuries against Rotherham. Defender Darren Williams (calf) is still out, as are long-term absentees Tony Sweeney and Michael Proctor, who both have knee injuries.

Chester 2-1 Hartlepool
Chester fought back from a goal down to beat Hartlepool, who suffered from having Jon Daly sent off on 17 minutes. Pools had taken the lead on only nine minutes when Joel Porter fired the ball low past John Danby from 12 yards out. But then Matty Robson was forced off injured and Daly saw red after making a violent challenge on David Artell. Pools' keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos gifted Ashley Westwood an equaliser on 45 minutes and he later fumbled again and Jonathan Walters hit the winner.

Hartlepool contest Daly dismissal
Hartlepool United have appealed against the dismissal of leading scorer Jon Daly in last Friday night's defeat at Chester City. Daly, 23, was shown a red card for allegedly elbowing Chester defender David Artell. However, Pools insist the striker was innocent and have submitted video evidence to support their appeal to the Football Association. Daly has scored eight goals in 11 league games for Pools this season.

Hartlepool star Daly wins appeal
Hartlepool United have won their appeal against the dismissal of leading scorer Jon Daly in last Friday evening's 2-1 defeat at Chester City. Daly, 23, was facing a one-match ban after he saw red for allegedly elbowing Chester defender David Artell. However, Pools submitted video evidence to support their appeal to the Football Association - and with the claim upheld, his ban has been withdrawn. Daly has scored eight goals in 11 league games for Pools this season.

Hartlepool v Darlington
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson is waiting on several players with \"knocks and niggles\" before naming his squad. Wilson would not name those who could miss out but leading scorer Jon Daly is available after his red card against Chester was rescinded on appeal. Defender Matt Clarke goes straight into the Darlington squad after returning to the club on loan from Bradford. Midfielder Michael Cummins sustained a slight knock against Barnet but is expected to be fit.

Iron and Pools given League fines
Scunthorpe and Hartlepool have been fined by the Football League for fielding weakened teams in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. The Iron were fined £4,500 of which £1,500 is suspended for a year, while Hartlepool were fined £1,500, with the full amount suspended for a year. Scunthorpe's general manager Jamie Hammond told SSB: \"We're disappointed as we won the game. \"We'll consider our options before deciding whether to appeal or not.\" Under new rules introduced this year, teams are required to play at least six of the 11 players that have appeared in most of their matches this season. But both clubs failed to comply with Scunthorpe only fielding three first-team players in the 2-1 win at Bradford, and Pools fielding five as they beat Rotherham 3-1.

Hartlepool 0-0 Darlington
Hartlepool had the better of a hard-fought derby against their north-east rivals, but could not unlock a well-marshalled Darlington defence. Hartlepool came close when Darlington defender Brian Close almost put through his own net, but Sam Russell saved. The best home chance came after 72 minutes when sub James Brown blasted over with only Russell to beat. The Darlington keeper made two good saves from Michael Nelson headers as the home team piled forward. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Liddle, Boland, Robson, Foley (Bullock 88), Daly, Porter (Brown 69). Subs Not Used: Provett, Brackstone, Darren Williams. Booked: Barron, Daly. Darlington: Russell, Collins, Hutchinson, Clarke, Close, Wainwright, Keltie, Cummins, Smith, Armstrong (Conlon 62), Joachim (Johnson 46). Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Holloway, Rowson. Booked: Keltie. Att: 7,458. Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Hartlepool v Doncaster
Hartlepool pair Darren Williams (calf) and Eifion Williams (hamstring) could feature after shaking off injury. But Ali Gibb (thigh) is struggling and is not expected to play a part. Midfielder Sean McDaid will be sidelined for Doncaster because of a bruised foot so Jason Price will continue in his absence. Goalkeeper Ben Smith will start his third successive match as John Filan is still struggling with a dead-leg, while Bruce Dyer (groin) remains doubtful.

Wilson rues lack of cutting edge
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson felt his side were second best as they lost 3-1 against Doncaster in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Wilson said: \"The first goal changed the game as it was tight until then. \"To get hit with the sucker punch of a second goal killed us. At 2-0 it was game over and I didn't really think we looked like scoring. \"The quality in the final third wasn't good enough, which is a problem we've had in recent games as well.\"

Hartlepool v Barnet
Hartlepool duo Joel Porter (ankle) and John Brackstone (groin) are doubts but loan signing Darryl Duffy, who has come from Hull, should make his debut. Dimi Konstantopoulos is likely to return in goal instead of Jim Provett. Barnet expect to have Andy Hessenthaler back in their line-up after missing the Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at Cheltenham with a calf injury. Tresor Kandol is banned for one-match and defenders Ian Hendon (thigh) and Anthony Charles (knee) are also out.

Hartlepool 0-1 Barnet
Barry Cogan's superb late 25-yard strike gave injury-hit Barnet victory at Hartlepool. Cogan smashed a brilliant 25-yard shot into the top corner to secure the win with eight minutes left. Pools dominated the first half with Darryl Duffy having a header disallowed and Jon Daly's shot being fumbled onto the bar by Bees keeper Lee Harrison. Hartlepool's Michael Nelson hit the bar with a header before Cogan lashed home the late winner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Foley (Eifion Williams 84), Boland, Liddle, Humphreys, Daly (Bullock 60), Duffy (Gibb 67). Subs Not Used: Provett, Darren Williams. Barnet: Harrison, Devera, King, Yakubu, Nicolau, Cogan, Bailey, Hessenthaler, Puncheon, Sinclair, Warhurst. Subs Not Used: Flitney, Gross, Charles, Graham, Vieira. Booked: Sinclair. Goals: Cogan 83. Att: 3,778 Ref: R Shoebridge (Derbyshire).

Rochdale v Hartlepool
Rochdale's on-loan Hartlepool midfielder Darrell Clarke will not be able to face his parent club. Jon Boardman is suspended and striker Clive Moyo-Modise is doubtful with a thigh strain. Hartlepool have been denied permission to play on-loan striker Darryl Duffy by Hull City. Fellow striker Joel Porter is out with a recurrence of a knee injury, defender John Brackstone is in contention after recovering from a groin strain.

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