SEVEN goals, three points and one game to go and everything to play for - what more can you ask for?

While Pool were thumping seven past Swansea on Saturday and won the game 7 - 1, it was one of Pool's old boys who had just as big an impact on the play-off race.

Ian Clark might be looking at the play-offs from afar, but his goals for Darlington against Scunthorpe helped Pool move above Brian Laws' side and, coupled with Rushden's slip-up against Kidderminster, means a huge, nervous and exciting day beckons on Saturday.

While Pool are at Exeter, Rushden go to Halifax and Shrewsbury are at home to Luton. If either of the sides slip up and Pool win their fifth game on the trot, Pool will be in the play-offs for the third season in a row.

If Saturday's form is anything to go by, Pool will do their bit. It's the others they are relying on.

The last time Pool netted seven in a League game, Adolf Hitler was thinking about moving into Poland; on March 17, 1934 and in front of 1,836 spectators, Barrow were on the receiving end of a 7-0 thumping.

Over the years, Pool have been on the receiving end of similar scorelines. They lost 8-0 at Swansea on April 1, 1978 and one of the Swansea legends on target that day was Alan Curtis who looked on in disgust from the Press box on Saturday.

But the Pool class of 2002 is different and this season it's been in Pool's favour. There's regularly been fives, fours and threes at Victoria Park - only Manchester City have scored more at home in British football than Pool.

Remember as well, that this is the team which lost its top scorer last summer and has had its second top scorer suffer an injury-wrecked season. Pool had 22 goals from Tommy Miller to find and 19 from Kevin Henderson from last season.

And how Chris Turner has managed it. On this form it's not out of order to declare this the best - certainly the most entertaining - team in Pool's history and Turner the best manager.

Whatever division Pool are in next season, it can only be hoped that come August, Turner is still in control.

For his Swansea counterpart what should have been a day to remember became one he'll never forget. Nick Cusack was appointed manager on Friday and on Saturday he suffered the biggest humiliation of his career. Turner said the result could be a good thing for the rookie boss, because at least he knows the size of the job, but he won't feel that way today.

The first goal came thanks to a one-two between Clarke and Gordon Watson and the midfielder slotted in. When Swansea levelled through Andrew Mumford's low shot six minutes later, thoughts of the play-offs were a little shaky because Swansea then made a game of it.

But Clarke smashed a volley onto the bar before flinging himself at the ball to nod in right on the half-time. If that deflated Swansea going into the break, one minute and 21 seconds into the second half they were down and out.

Eifion Williams collected Paul Smith's through ball, took it in his stride and rolled it across keeper Jason Jones. Another Smith cross led to Clarke nodding in to complete his treble.

Adam Boyd came on to replace Mark Robinson on 68 minutes; 60 seconds later his first touch brought goal number five. Boyd was stood on the far post as Pool defended a corner, Ritchie Humphreys sprayed a stunning ball to Watson, he nodded it into James Coppinger's path and he laid it off for the on-rushing Boyd to net.

Pool's last penalty was on September 22 against Kidderminster. Watson wanted to take it, but someone called Ian Clark was having none of it and he missed it.

Watson, however, never looked like he was going to miss; it was one of those days.

And neither was Kevin Henderson who steered in another Smith cross - his fourth assist on Saturday - for his first goal at home since the play-off defeat to Blackpool last season. He might get another chance to score in the play-offs yet..

Read more about Hartlepool here.