BEN Clark might have been unlucky with injuries since arriving at Hartlepool United from Sunderland, but the classy defender can still be regarded as something of a lucky talisman at Victoria Park.

Clark is likely to be part of the Pool side vying for a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Boston tonight and, after only seeing two defeats since mid-October in his time at Pool, he has every reason to be confident.

The one-time Manchester United trainee and England youth skipper played an unfamiliar left back role as Pool made it eight games without defeat at Torquay last Saturday.

And he admitted: "I've been a bit unlucky with injuries since I came here, but all the lads have done very well while I've been out and the gaffer has been able to stick with the same team every week.

"We are eight games unbeaten and I think that since I came here we have only lost a couple of games which is pretty frightening really.

"We can keep this run going and there are lads who aren't in the team who really want to be in it and it can be hard for them, but I'm sure their time will come.

"I've been out for a few games and it's nice to fit straight back into a winning team, that always makes things easier.''

Tonight's replay, with a trip to Brentford awaiting the winners in round four, is needed after the teams drew 0-0 at Victoria Park 11 days ago.

Boston's gameplan was to stifle Pool with a packed midfield and defence and Clark and Pool are looking forward to a more open game on the glue pot of a pitch.

They are unbeaten at home in the league this season and have knocked Luton out of the Carling Cup with a 4-3 home win. The only defeats came in the LDV Vans Trophy to Cambridge and the Carling Cup to Fulham.

"I think the game will be a more open game than at our place,'' said Clark. "We have to go there looking to win and, on the back of recent results, confidence will be high. They came to us to play for a draw, but we don't mind having to go down there because our away form is getting better by the game.''

Clark was part of a back three on Saturday at Plainmoor that changed to a flat back four to turn the game around.

Pool were trailing during an uneasy opening 20 minutes before goals from Tony Sweeney and Joel Porter changed the game.

"Torquay is a long trip for us, so it's nice to be able to go back home with a win,'' said Clark.

"We didn't really want half-time to come, we were playing well at the time.

"But we had a bit of a shake-up in the dressing room and the gaffer said we would win. We came out flying and got two great goals, which puts us up into fifth place.''

Clark spent over an hour playing at left-back and, with Hugh Robertson back in training yesterday after missing out at the weekend with a sore foot, there's every chance he will continue there tonight.

"It was a bit different on Saturday, playing a couple of different roles,'' he admitted.

"We knew Hugh was struggling a little bit during the week and the gaffer asked me if I could play in his place, so I was happy to get back in. I've never played there before. I've played right back before and I've played in midfield as well, but this was different.

"It was nice to play with Ritchie (Humphreys) on the left side, he always comes looking for the ball and gives you an option which helps. He's played games at the highest level and you know he can handle the ball, so it's nice to have someone like that in front of you."

l Pool's game with Luton Town at Victoria Park has been re-arranged for Tuesday, February 15.