CHRIS Casper was happy just to talk about football again, despite having to describe a narrow defeat for his Shakers side.

After a week dominated by their acrimonious expulsion from the FA Cup, Bury struggled to get into top gear, perhaps proving that recent events have had a more profound effect on the side than Casper would have hoped.

Anthony Sweeney scored the decisive goal just 12 seconds after the restart, and Pools have their Greek keeper Dimi Konstantopolous to thank for a string of fine saves towards the end when Bury finally got into their groove.

But by that time Danny Wilson's side had done enough to take home the points, leaving his opposite number Casper struggling to come to terms with what had been a nightmarish seven days.

"The lads just wanted to get playing again, but perhaps it affected them," he said.

"The goal after just 12 seconds of the second half just killed us. I couldn't believe it.

"We perhaps lacked a little bit of brightness at times, but I thought we deserved something out of the game. We've just got to move on now straight away"

The visitors made a flying start to the game and hit the crossbar within the first three minutes when Gary Liddle let fly with a stinging right-footed shot.

Glynn Hurst had the Shakers' best opportunity of the half, his low shot saved well by the legs of Konstantopolous.

After the restart, Hartlepool hit the hammer blow within seconds. Effion Williams danced round three challenges before slipping the ball to Sweeney, who blasted the ball through Alan Fettis to score.

Daryl Duffy could easily have doubled Pools' lead when he turned Andy Monkhouse's cross inches over the bar, but that proved to be the spark that woke Bury up.

Matthew Blinkhorn should have done better when clear through on goal, but could only produce a tame shot, easily dealt with by Konstantopolous.

The Greek keeper then made two fingertip saves, the first from a Dave Challinor header and the second a magnificent reaction stop after a deflection off his own defender Micky Barron.

Andy Bishop went clear though in the dying minutes but got his footwork wrong on the uneven surface to allow Michael Nelson to steal the ball.

Even when the full time whistle sounded, it was as if those present at Gigg Lane had their minds on something else. Judging by the thousands of banners and placards which showed their support for the Shakers upcoming appeal on Thursday, it was quite clear what that was.

The news that the club's consultant Graham Bean had uncovered a precedent gives Bury renewed hope that they will be reinstated.

Kettering were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during a fourth round qualifying game against Tilbury in 1977 - and the FA ordered the game replayed.

Casper said the club were cautiously optimistic about their chances of having their punishment downgraded, and thanked people for their support over the last seven days.

Shakers: Fettis 6; Scott 7; Brass 6; Kennedy 7 (Blinkhorn 5, 62); Challinor 6; Barry-Murphy 5; Bishop 6; Baker 5; Buchanan 7; Pugh 6; Hurst 6.

Subs not used: Woodthorpe; Speight; Adams; Parrish.

Attendance: 2,839.