Pools 1 Rovers 2

It could and probably should have been a draw but there was one significant difference between these two sides - Rovers had more winners in their squad. Of course, its early days for the new Pools squad - yet looking round the pitch you got the sense that we have recruited some decent footballers but how many will turn out to have that bit extra?

Rovers probably didn't have as much skill on display but they closed down space, fought like tigers in either box and, once they realised the officials were ignoring shirt pulling and subtle well timed barges in the back, asserted themselves taking both chances very well.

By contrast Pools beavered away trying to play pretty football. We certainly had the best of the chances in the first 20 minutes with the visiting defence failing to handle crosses. Brown was the pick of the home forwards, hitting the keeper with a tame header beforeforcing a great save to a dipping volley as he cut inside from the left wing.

It was from a Brown cross on the half hour that the bustling Behan stooped to head home and it looked like Pools would go on to win.

But poor Sam Collins isn't the luckiest of players. When he makes a slight mistake it's punished and he failed to clear for the first Rovers goal with Lescott eventually pouncing on a loose ball to drive home from 15 yards.  He was then was pulled out wide on the left for the second with danger man Kuffour making  space in the box to turn and shoot wide of Flinders.

It was doubly bad luck for Sam as he is one of the few players in the Pools squad who you could say looks and acts like a "winner." The new goalie is another,  and it looks like Behan will turn into one. His confidence improved after the goal and he severely rattled the crossbar in the second half hitting the the post in the scramble which followed. More importantly he took the stick from the barges in the back without complaint - shades of Porter.

There are winners on the sidelines with the animated Messrs Turner and West in full voice throughout. But - having sat behind them on previous occasions - you have to feel for the players who are struggling to listen to two voices at the same time. How about Chris Turner going to get a higher view from the stands and leave the touchline entreaties to Westie?

One final thought. Most of the lads I watch the game with were missing last night in a poor crowd of 3137. No doubt Ken Hodcroft will be upset, but with two games this week followed by Burnley  and Norwich next week, it means the average Town Ender will have to fork out £72 in a fortnight to watch his team.  Nobody's fault this but you can see why so many stayed at home to watch Celtic v Arsenal.

So no need to panic either on or off the pitch  - just yet.