JORDAN HUGILL has only made seven appearances for Hartlepool United, but the Preston North End loanee will go down in club history.

The striker netted the winning goal on Saturday as Pools beat Exeter, to retain their Football League status and complete their escape from the long-standing threat of relegation.

Hugill, 22, has been a Northern League regular before being taken on at Port Vale. Ironically he played six times this season on loan at Tranmere – who were relegated after losing at Plymouth.

Aaron Tshibola’s pass gave him the chance to drill home as half-time approached and he revealed: "You just had to be there in the dressing room afterwards, everybody was shouting for a few beers - everyone going mental!

"The manager has worked so hard this week on getting the shape right, everything right.

"Just to do exactly what we did, which was unbelievable.

"When I heard Pools were interested in me, my motivation was I wanted to be the person that keeps them in the Football League, to score the winning goal.

"I have done that and it is an unbelievable feeling. It is the greatest moment in my career so far.

"You cannot describe the feeling, we have all fought so hard.

"I can't imagine how the other lads feel, those that have been here all season.

"The main thing was to get to enjoy the last game, with no pressure on it. We can go and enjoy the game at Carlisle now.’’

Hugill has impressed with his workrate up front and he linked up well with fellow scorer and striker Scott Fenwick, the pair constantly at the visiting defenders to cause them problems.

"Scott is a great lad and he will run his socks off all day, same as me,’’ said Hugill. "And we both got our rewards for it.

"Scott took his goal really well, gambling off my flick and slotting it home.

"It was the same with Tish sliding me in and I put my head down and just hit it.

"I hit the ball well and knew it had a chance, sometimes I forget what foot I am. It was a moment that was meant to be, I believe.

"I have come in here and worked hard and believed that we could do what we have managed to do.

"It was the same sort of feeling when I scored at Middlesbrough earlier in the season for Preston, everything came together and I hurt my knees in the celebration!

"It was unbelievable.’’

And Hugill, still under contract at Preston for next season, added: “Ronnie Moore is brillant to work for, he has done a fantastic job.

"Everybody had wrote us off when he took over, so just to have done what he has done. He deserves manager of the year.

"Coming here, I wanted to keep Pools in the Football League because it has always been Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Pools in the league.

"To play a part in history is unbelieveable.

"I have made my mark by scoring the goal that kept them in the football league - that was my plan all along!

"I have nothing but praise for everyone.’’