By Charlie Summerbell
April 21 2012

A week after being embarrassed by his team's home defeat at the hands of Chesterfield, Nale Cooper at last had something to smile about as Hartlepool United got a deserved point in a 1-1 draw at Tranmere.

It was a good result for a team missing injured defenders Sam Collins and Evan Horwood, Jordan Richards and Jack Baldwin coming in.

In fact, playing against ten men for the last 20 minutes, Pools perhaps should have won – but their lack of sharpness in front of goal has been a problem all season.

John Welsh gave Tranmere a first-half lead, but a well-taken solo goal from Antony Sweeney levelled on 69 minutes, and when he brought down Ryan Noble outside the box, home keeper Owain Fon Williams was sent off.

But the home team held on as Pools searched for a winner.

Cooper told the club website: “At times they showed a bit more composure in the middle of the park than we did, but I’ve said week in and week out that we lack that in the team.

“I had to play a few young boys today, but they all did well and the effort was great today and it was a good return for us.”

The season is gradually petering out for Pools, but with their awful home record and season tickets again on sale at a bargain price, it’s absolutely vital that they beat Leyton Orient, who are now safe from relegation, in the last home game of the season next weekend.