RITCHIE Humphreys celebrated his birthday in fine style on Saturday.

Three minutes in and his 25th birthday was marked with his fourth goal of the season to put Hartlepool United on the way to another Division Three victory.

Humphreys, who admits he has never played as consistently well as he is now, is flourishing in a central midfield role - stark contrast to the frustrations he suffered 12 months ago in the forward line when it took until early December to register his first goal of the season.

Now he's netted four for the season and said: "Everyone always says when it's your birthday, go on and get a goal, so I got one.

"It was a great start. I played a little one-two with Marcus and got away, I looked up and saw Eifion there, but I didn't think I could get it to him so I just had to get it on target.

"It's a goal I'm really pleased with.

"We created a lot of chances. At 2-1 they always have a lifeline and I was thinking 'don't get one back', but they did and credit to the lads because they defended well.

"I don't think we played in the second-half as well as we had in the first 25 minutes or so in the first-half, but we saw the game out professionally.

"We got the ball in the corners and saw time out.

"We've just got to keep the momentum going and teams around us won as well.''

Saturday's win was Pool's 13th of the season, but with expectations so high at Victoria Park, Humphreys admits it's harder than previous seasons.

"Last season we were getting fours and fives against teams at home, but not this year,'' he said. "Teams are coming here and showing us respect because of where we are in the League.

"In the past they were more open when they were coming to our place.

"On Saturday we got an early goal and then it's up to the opposition to open up more and come at us.

"That allows us to play around them a little bit and it's up to us put the pressure on them.

"Tuesday was a disappointment for us all. We thought we had beaten Southend and had the game won, so we were a little down.

"We are out the Cup and it could have earned a little bit of revenue for the club, so it's disappointing.''

And he admitted: "We were flat on Tuesday, but the lads here are fantastic - the team spirit is as good as I have ever know anywhere.

"It's that which has helped see us through the last month because it has been an uncertain time for everyone.

"But now the gaffer's got his first home win and we are in a strong position."