Meanwhile there were also words of praise for Australian striker Joel Porter, who notched his 21st goal of the season in the win over the Bulls.

Rumours persist that the 30-year-old is set to return home and join an A-League side during the summer, a prospect that Turner admitted will be tough to take.

"Any striker that scores 20 goals in a season at any level, any team is worth his weight in gold," he said.

"Whenever Joel Porter plays well, Hartlepool play well, so if he does go to Australia then it's a massive disappointment for me personally because I'd love him to be here next season.

"He's a massive plus player for us."

Porter joined Hartlepool from Sydney Olympic in November 2003 and has made more than 200 appearances for the club in that time.

What the feck are you on about ?

Working on the assumption that Turner is aware of the rumours/truth that Joel is away back to oz in the summer is he:

Distancing himself from the inevitable by suggesting he is doing everything he can to make him stay now?

Indirectly pleading with Joel to stay?

Who knows, still better than silence on the subject.