JUST when it appeared all hope was lost, and fast fading away, Hartlepool United have restored faith.

Without an away win since October and over a year since they kept a clean sheet away from Victoria Park, Pools have taken six points from six in four days, without conceding a goal in the process. Uncharted territory has been breached. Now can they go further and find their way to third bottom with nine games to go?

Goals from Ryan Bird and Neil Austin brought the win. It was built on solid foundations.

The gap to safety is down to four points. With back to back home games to come, can they really press on and bridge the gap?

If they put as much effort in and commitment as they have in the last two games, it’s possible.

Ronnie Moore is fielding an honest team of players who have realised time is running out. If only they had played with the same assurance and dedication all season there’s no way they would be in this mess.

“They’ve worked hard again to be fair. Two really tough games, two clean sheets,’’ said Moore. “They gave their all and if we get lads running about, working hard and giving their all we can have a right go.

“We’ve changed shape and it’s working. We started well and the strikers up front have been unreal, setting the tone all over with their workrate.’’

He added: “The pleasing thing for me is back to back wins. We gave them all hope last weekend, hope again tonight and it’s disappointing to see others win, but it’s down to four points and we all go again.

“We’ve spoke about going on a run and now we’ve given everyone hope and belief.’’

Pools started with confidence carried over from the weekend. Nicky Featherstone, again on top of his game, broke into the area, took a throw in on his chest and cracked a volley against the post.

Bradley Walker, looking like a new player after a disappointing season, had a raking shot tipped over by Ryan Clarke.

Jon Franks had a firm penalty shout knocked back after he was checked in the area, but referee Pat Miller soon balanced it out as he waved away home claims after Dan Jones fouled in the area.

Scott Harrison’s firm block inside the six-yard box denied Kemar Roofe and Pools soon took the lead.

Franks again got in behind Scarz. His angled shot was saved, but only parried towards Bird who cracked in from close range.

Callum O’Dowda headed against a post, but Pools were furious as Miller allowed play to carry on when Bird was down in the area after a clash of heads.

Bird’s next involvement saw Pools go in front. Johnny Mullins handballed in the area under pressure from Featherstone, and Bird took the penalty.

Clarke saved, but again parried into the middle and Neil Austin read the situation well to net.

Back in 1999 under Chris Turner, Pools were fighting relegation. They went to Shrewsbury with games running out. Denny Ingram missed a penalty, hitting it low to the keeper’s left, Paul Baker following up to net and secure the win. Same scenario last night.

It was a pivotal moment 16 years ago. Austin’s in 2015 could be just as important.

“We didn’t say who was going to take the penalty, Birdy decided and I couldn’t look,’’ admitted Moore. “I heard the bench cheer and jump about, it’s nice to see and hear.’’

And from then on, it was about throwing bodies on the line, a blue and white wall in front of Scott Flinders, who plucked crosses out of the air with ease.

Referee Miller was stretchered off – dislocating a knee cap. It meant Pools had nine minutes to see out at the end.

In their last three wins – also against Wimbledon and Morecambe – they have been presented with 12, six and now nine minutes of added on time.

It says a lot about their new-found mettle and mentality that they saw each extended spell out with ease.

Moore said: “We saw out the end well, won a lot of headers, no clear chances, long balls into the box gathered up by the keeper.

“We aren’t playing 90 at the moment, another ten again but it’s about hard work.

“A few weeks ago we were lost in other eyes, but now we are there and giving it a right go.

“If 11 of them give us what they can and we lose to a bit of magic, but if we have players off form we won’t win many games. We have worked so hard.’’