Football: Turner turning the corner at Pool

Sunday Mirror, Mar 14, 1999 by ALAN LAKE

HARTLEPOOL'S mini revival continued as they gained another precious point at Plymouth, even though skipper Michael Barron was sent off in the last minute.

New manager Chris Turner has certainly tightened up the defence and this was the third successive draw since he took charge.

Plymouth carved out chance after chance but Hartlepool's defence held firm.

Gary Strodder was outstanding at the centre of the defence and no one did better than left-back Ian Clark, who capped a fine display with a crucial tackle on Plymouth substitute Lee Phillips.

With Hartlepool defending stubbornly for most of the game, new striker Gary Jones, signed like Strodder from Notts County, had little chance to shine.

Turner introduced another newcomer - midfielder Danny Hughes a free transfer from Wolves - as a substitute just before the end.

Barron was booked early in the second half and was sent off in injury time after bringing down Dwight Marshall.

Hartlepool found themselves pinned back for most of the first half, but with Strodder snuffing out the Plymouth raids, they survived comfortably.

Tommy Miller went mighty close for the visitors in the 35th minute.

New boy Jones supplied the perfect pass, only for keeper Jon Sheffield to save Miller's close-range effort.