HARTLEPOOL moved into fourth place in Division Three, just two points behind Cardiff thanks to a stunning second half fight back at Brunton Park last night.

Pool were trailing 2-0 at the break, but second half goals from Tommy Miller, Lee Fitzpatrick and Sam Shilton ensured their unbeaten run, stretching back to November 25, remained intact.

Skipper Micky Barron beamed: "They overpowered us in the first half and had it not been for Tony Williams' saves, we could have been out of it.

"But after they went down to ten men we took command. Lee Fitzpatrick's shot for the equaliser was top-class and I don't think any goalkeeper would have saved it."

In the first half Carlisle dominated and were physically much stronger than their visitors.

The home side went ahead in the 19th minute when a quick break on the right opened up the Pool defence and Mick Galloway was on hand at the far post to beat Anthony Williams from the edge of the area.

Just after the goal, Craig Midgley was booked for a foul at the other end of the field and things began to look bleak for Chris Turner's team.

With Scott Dobie and Ian Stevens giving the Pool defence no end of trouble, the visitors could not get any sort of attacking momentum going at all, and it was no surprise when Carlisle added to their lead in the 30th minute.

Dobie was the provider, beating James Sharp on the left before sending over a cross for Stevens to tap in at the far post.

In fact, had it not been for two brilliant saves by Williams before half-time, Pool could have been dead and buried by the interval.

But two minutes after half-time Richard Prokas was booked for a foul on Paul Stephenson and having already been cautioned in the first half was shown the red card by referee David Pugh.

Shortly afterwards, Pool brought Lee Fitzpatrick on for Darren Knowles in an attempt to maximise their numerical advantage and pressurise the Carlisle defence.

On the hour, they got the breakthrough they needed after a long throw on the left by James Sharp was handled by a Carlisle defender among a melee of players and the referee, much to Carlisle's disgust, awarded a penalty.

Miller stepped up to score his 15th goal of the season and his seventh from the penalty spot and give Pool a lifeline back into the game.

It wasn't all one way, though, as Dobie shot into the side netting in 68th minute.

But five minutes later Pool drew level and it was substitute Fitzpatrick who scored his third goal of the season with a tremendous curling shot from the right-hand side which gave Carlisle keeper Mattie Glennon little chance as it flashed past him into the net.

It was all Pool now and nine minutes from time they scored the winning goal. Miller turned provider and his surging run to the byline opened up the Carlisle defence. His cross found Shilton six yards out, and the wing back headed powerfully in to send the huge visiting contingent wild with delight