The Pools manager has been delighted with the attitude shown by his squad in their opening warm-up games after they followed up Tuesday's 2-1 win at Morton with a goalless draw against Falkirk yesterday.

Pools just about edged yesterday's game at Stirling University and there were certainly no signs of going through the motions as Wilson's side harried and tackled the Scottish Premier League side at every opportunity.

They will need to maintain that work-rate when Kevin Keegan takes his Magpies to Victoria Park tomorrow (3pm).

Wilson said: "We know Newcastle are going to bring some high quality players and the same type of work ethic needs to be applied on Saturday as it was yesterday and on Tuesday.

"I think Falkirk are Championship standard and maybe would be flirting with promotion. Newcastle will be another test for us but that was a big test for us yesterday.

"We have remained unbeaten and that is the type of performances we will need in the league this year. To a man they have all come off knackered which is what you want at this stage. If that's anything to go by for the rest of the season I will be absolutely delighted."

The only clear-cut chance yesterday fell to Falkirk from the penalty spot after Michael Nelson was adjudged to have tugged back Graham Barrett.

The striker himself stepped up to take the spot-kick, but it was brilliantly pushed away by trialist Derek Soutar.

Ex-Aberdeen and Dundee keeper Soutar is likely to discover soon whether he has done enough to earn a contract.

"It was a great save from Derek Soutar and justified because I thought all the game we were the better team," said Wilson. "I don't mean that to the detriment of Falkirk but we played well.."

Meanwhile, Wilson confirmed Pools had been interested in Linfield and Northern Ireland striker Peter Thompson, who has completed a £100,000 switch to Stockport.
HARTLEPOOL: Soutar, Sweeney (Collins 74), Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Liddle (Power 81), Boland (Jones 60), Monkhouse (Robson 45), Foley (McCunnie 56), Barker (Brown 45), Porter (Mackay 72).