diff --git a/eventlet/pools.py b/eventlet/pools.py
index 8b71b54..cdd6f43 100644
--- a/eventlet/pools.py
+++ b/eventlet/pools.py
@@ -14,6 +14,33 @@ class SomeFailed(FanFailed):
 class AllFailed(FanFailed):
     pass
 
+# have to stick this in an exec so it works in 2.4
+try:
+    from contextlib import contextmanager
+    exec('''
+        @contextmanager
+        def item_impl(self):
+            """ Get an object out of the pool, for use with with statement. 
+
+            >>> from eventlet import pools
+            >>> pool = pools.TokenPool(max_size=4)
+            >>> with pool.item() as obj:
+            ...     print "got token"
+            ...
+            got token
+            >>> pool.free()
+            4
+            """
+            obj = self.get()
+            try:
+                yield obj
+            finally:
+                self.put(obj)
+            ''')
+except ImportError:
+    item_impl = None
+
+
 
 class Pool(object):
     """
@@ -70,29 +97,8 @@ class Pool(object):
             return created
         return self.channel.wait()
 
-    try:
-        from contextlib import contextmanager
-        @contextmanager
-        def item(self):
-            """ Get an object out of the pool, for use with with statement. 
-
-            >>> from eventlet import pools
-            >>> pool = pools.TokenPool(max_size=4)
-            >>> with pool.item() as obj:
-            ...     print "got token"
-            ...
-            got token
-            >>> pool.free()
-            4
-            """
-            obj = self.get()
-            try:
-                yield obj
-            finally:
-                self.put(obj)
-    except ImportError:
-        pass
-
+    if item_impl is not None:
+        item = item_impl
 
     def put(self, item):
         """Put an item back into the pool, when done
diff --git a/tests/db_pool_test.py b/tests/db_pool_test.py
index 9497af7..6cee304 100644
--- a/tests/db_pool_test.py
+++ b/tests/db_pool_test.py
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class TestDBConnectionPool(DBTester):
         self.connection.close()
         self.assert_(not self.connection)
 
-    def fill_test_table(self, conn):
+    def fill_up_table(self, conn):
         curs = conn.cursor()
         for i in range(1000):
             curs.execute('insert into test_table (value_int) values (%s)' % i)
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ class TestDBConnectionPool(DBTester):
         self.pool = self.create_pool()
         conn = self.pool.get()
         self.set_up_test_table(conn)
-        self.fill_test_table(conn)
+        self.fill_up_table(conn)
         curs = conn.cursor()
         results = []
         SHORT_QUERY = "select * from test_table"
@@ -213,11 +213,11 @@ class TestDBConnectionPool(DBTester):
         self.pool = self.create_pool(2)
         conn = self.pool.get()
         self.set_up_test_table(conn)
-        self.fill_test_table(conn)
+        self.fill_up_table(conn)
         curs = conn.cursor()
         conn2 = self.pool.get()
         self.set_up_test_table(conn2)
-        self.fill_test_table(conn2)
+        self.fill_up_table(conn2)
         curs2 = conn2.cursor()
         results = []
         LONG_QUERY = "select * from test_table"
diff --git a/tests/nosewrapper.py b/tests/nosewrapper.py
index ce7556f..7b23a16 100644
--- a/tests/nosewrapper.py
+++ b/tests/nosewrapper.py
@@ -8,5 +8,11 @@ parent_dir = dirname(dirname(realpath(abspath(__file__))))
 if parent_dir not in sys.path:
     sys.path.insert(0, parent_dir)
 
+# hacky hacks: skip test__api_timeout when under 2.4 because otherwise it SyntaxErrors
+if sys.version_info < (2,5):
+    argv = sys.argv + ["--exclude=.*test__api_timeout.*"]
+else:
+    argv = sys.argv
+
 from tests import eventlethub
-nose.main(addplugins=[eventlethub.EventletHub()])
+nose.main(addplugins=[eventlethub.EventletHub()], argv=argv)