Boss Colin quits as Pools sink to bottom
COLIN COOPER quit as Hartlepool manager following a humbling against Carlisle.
Cooper feels he has taken the side as far as he can after being appointed in May 2013.
“We would like to thank Colin for his efforts during the last 18 months,” said chairman Ken Hodcroft.
“We are glad we gave him his break in management and would like to wish him every success in the future.”
For Keith Curle, the newly-appointed Carlisle boss, two wins in a row lift his team off the bottom of the table – swapping places with Pools.
The Cumbrians could have doubled their advantage, such was their superiority in front of goal.
Curle said:“I spoke to the players afterwards and said I knew they’d come off the field absolutely shattered and they knew they had given their all.
“You want them to have that feeling every week. I could tell they put everything into it and that’s all I can ask. I can organise them and do my bit, but I need application from the players.
“They are starting to believe and understand.
“We show the opposition respect by stopping them, by earning the right to go and play and then expressing ourselves.
“At 0-0, Hartlepool were a goal threat and busy, but we got that little bit of luck we needed.
“We blocked shots in and around, made a goalline clearance, and there was a lack of quality from Hartlepool in the final third, but we win by being prepared, doing our job and giving everything we have.’’
The Cumbrians could have been two up in the opening minutes. Twice, home keeper Scott Flinders had to rescue his side. The second time he should not have been able to get close to Mark Beck’s header.
Carlisle also squandered two chances at the start of the second half as Steven Rigg shot wide from 12 yards and Flinders saved well from Potts.
A long throw was then headed on and Steven Rigg got the final touch from close range.
Pools responded. Marlon Harewood rolled the ball across the face of goal, before Michael Duckworth’s deflected shot was headed from under the bar by defender Hayden White.
But the Cumbrians soon got a second when substitute Stephen Elliott provided a neat finish after being set up by Potts.
Number three came when Mark Beck knocked in from close range – and Cooper’s race was run.
Pools have won just twice this season and have a goal difference of minus 12. Relegation, unless they can make an inspirational appointment, beckons.