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Tranmere Rovers 0 - 0 Hartlepool United

Everything rosy for Stephenson

THREE games, three clean sheets and five points in the bag - Hartlepool United are enjoying their love-in with Paul Stephenson.

Since their messy divorce from Martin Scott, temporary boss Stephenson has got Pool enjoying their football again.

A goalless draw at Tranmere on a freezing Valentine's night might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Stephenson has given Pool their confidence back.

While it was brickbats all the way for Scott, it's bouquets for Stephenson.

Perhaps it was no surprise this game ended blank - it's the fourth time it's happened in six League One meetings.

Tranmere did the double over Pool last season, but Pool had the last laugh, knocking Brian Little's side out of the play-offs at Prenton Park.

Following their win over Chesterfield last Friday night, Pool carried on from where they left off in the previous game - passing the ball with a purpose and unafraid to spread the play around.

Delroy Facey had the first chance, running across the defence to volley onto the roof of the net on nine minutes.

Adam Boyd and Jon Daly were dropping deep to link up with the midfield and some of the former's touches were bordering on the Boyd of last season.

Pool controlled possession for a long period and frustration got the better of Ian Sharps as he lunged into Boyd.

Lee Bullock, on a rare start at the expense of Antony Sweeney, was next in the book after a mis-timed tackle on Harrison.

Next up it was Daly's turn for persistent fouling.

Robson then created a chance - twisting into space to cross and when Sharps headed away, Stephen Turnbull confidently volleyed a strong shot at goal but into the body of keeper Dino Seremet from 35 yards.

Boyd then fed Chris Llewellyn and he took a touch inside the area before volleying at goal and Seremet warmed his hands with a strong block.

In last season's play-off semi-final here, Dimi Konstantopoulos had the game of his life.

Last night he made a save as good as any that night - a two-handed stop to keep out a close-range Chris Greenacre header.

But as far as dramatics go that was as close as it got to a repeat of that heart-stopping night.

Bullock surged from deep and fed the advancing Llewellyn, whose cross just evaded both Daly and Bullock as Pool started the second period with purpose.

A piercing Micky Nelson clearance almost fed Boyd, but Seremet was quickly out of his area to clear. Turnbull was prompting the game from midfield and the teenager again epitomised Pool under their new steward - confident and more than willing to take responsibility.