WHILE Adam Boyd pleased all at Hartlepool United by signing a new contract, another Pool prodigy proved on Saturday just how important his signature will be to the long-term future of the club.

Antony Sweeney scored twice and tormented the opposition as Pool finally tasted success on the road, securing only their second away win of the season at Wrexham.

And now, with Boyd tied to Victoria Park for an extra two years, the club will have to make sure Sweeney does at least the same.

Long lauded as the next Tommy Miller, he showed his promise as he started the last eight League games of last season.

He's since been a regular, improved by the game, and Saturday's double took his season's tally to eight. Not bad for a midfielder before Christmas and one which Miller at his free-scoring best would be proud of.

With his contract up next summer, one shareholder urged chairman Ken Hodcroft at last week's AGM to "please make sure you sign up The Sweeney''.

There's little chance this case will go unsolved.

Sweeney had Wrexham on the run as he broke forward from midfield for a brace of similar goals.

They couldn't catch him or check his forays as he comfortably slotted past Andy Dibble.

Dibble, according to Wrexham's programme, is the best keeper - statistically speaking - in the club's history.

These five - Pool's biggest win on the road in 13 years, since Alan Murray's side won at Aldershot by the same margin in 1991, and their joint second biggest away win in history - won't have done that record any good.

"We were clinical in our finishing, our movement and our passing,'' said boss Neale Cooper.

"We looked a danger every time we went forward and, at times in the first half, we couldn't get near the ball.

"But we changed the shape a little bit and we were dangerous on the counter attack.

"This was similar to the win at Port Vale last season. All five goals were excellent, well-worked goals.''

Boyd revelled against a trio of hapless defenders.

And, with his future at Hartlepool for the next two years at least, Cooper is delighted.

"Boydy's overall performance was excellent,'' he said. "His workrate was very good. He's done very well again and he deserves a new contract. It's good for him and good for the club to get him signed up.

"We really thought he wouldn't be here next season, we expected him to move on, but it all happened on Friday morning.

"He's settled and I think you can see that in his performances. Playing for his hometown club means a lot to him and I think that is an important factor for both the club and the player.

"I've said it before, but I feel he is one of the most naturally gifted players I have ever come across - definitely.

"It's been a massive year for him.''

This was League One's biggest away victory of the season and for Denis Smith, Wrexham's former Sunderland boss, there surely can't be a stigma attached to losing so heavily to Pool.

Just like when losing to Pool as Sunderland boss in 1988, however, he wasn't impressed with the opposition.

This was one thumping win added to the ever-growing list of emphatic victories Pool have achieved in recent seasons.

Wrexham had plenty of first-half possession, but did little with it; Pool, in possession, were clinical.

Boyd motored into the area, cut the ball across and Ritchie Humphreys passed the ball low past Andy Dibble into the far corner of the net.

Pool went one-up away from home last time out at Walsall, but contrived to lose.

This time, however, they got a vital - and impressive - second.

Joel Porter fed Sweeney on the halfway line and, as he charged forward, no-one could keep up.

He cheekily looked over his shoulder to make sure, but Levi Mackin was trailing, and chipped the ball around Dibble.

Yet Wrexham were still having plenty of the ball. They pulled one back when Pool failed to deal with Darren Ferguson's free-kick and Juan Ugarte stabbed home from inside the six yard box.

Hearts might have been fluttering, but the game was killed off with two quick goals.

First Porter spotted strike partner Boyd marauding down the opposite flank. He sprayed a 50-yard crossfield ball to his feet, kept on running, and, when Boyd reached the penalty area, Porter was arriving to tap home the low cross.

Humphreys then returned the favour for Boyd, his low pass across the area effortlessly tapped past Dibble.

Pool switched to a 3-5-2 line-up in the second half, nullifying Wrexham's minimal threat.

That formation gave Sweeney the freedom to leg it forward and his energy was rewarded with the fifth goal.

Eifion Williams fed the runner and he knocked the ball under Dibble.

"What time is it?'' they asked in the Pool camp. "Five past Dibble" came the retort.

The Welshmen looked like a team ravaged by troubles. Ten points deducted after falling into administration with debts to the Inland Revenue of almost £1m, there was little sign of fighting spirit on or off the pitch as their heads dropped.

As the last home fans roamed out of the ground, Last Christmas was played over the tannoy.

For Wrexham, it might ring true.

Result: Wrexham 1 Hartlepool United 5.

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