NOT long ago and the only way Adam Boyd was leaving Victoria Park was on a free transfer.

The way he is playing now, Hartlepool United will be lucky to hang onto their enigmatic talent for much longer.

Boyd is self-propelling his hometown club into the play-offs and into the running for a place in Division One next season.

Another double on Saturday took his total to seven in five starts since coming back from the Victoria Park wilderness.

And instead of facing Rochdale and Macclesfield next season in a Boston United shirt, he could be gracing the likes of Elland Road or Upton Park in Pool's colours.

Sent on loan to Boston earlier this season as boss Neale Cooper became the latest manager left frustrated by the talented 22-year-old, he was all set to complete a move to York Street, ending his long association with his club.

A deal failed to happen, he returned to Victoria Park with a run of games and consistent form under his belt and now he has taken his undoubted talent onto a whole new level.

Two goals against Luton in midweek, he netted two more against another team pushing for the play-offs.

But never mind Pool joining the pack of clubs chasing the sixth and final play-off spot, they are now only a win away from fourth-placed Swindon Town.

His first goal was a tap-in from close range, in the right place at the right time and the sort of chance which falls nicely for a striker when things are going his way.

The second came courtesy of a deft turn on the edge of the area, a few strides into a box and a low finish across the keeper which seemed to take a week to roll over the line.

"He has done that bit of magic for us again,'' said Cooper. "He was going out of the door here because of certain things he has done this year.

"He went away on loan and came back a different boy. I saw him in training and said to Martin Scott that we have a different lad here at the moment.

"Boydy worked really hard in training and lost the weight he had put on. He's been a revelation since he came back from Boston, not just with his ability but workrate as well and everyone has seen that.

"Closing down defenders, chasing things, perhaps these things weren't in his game before.

"I'm always looking for a big striker like Steve Howard or Fletcher, but I think Adam could play quite comfortably up front with a big man.''

While Boyd takes the headlines, there's two other former youth teamers who have impressed everyone in the last week.

Having Boyd, Tony Sweeney and Darren Craddock performing so well in the first-team must be like having three new signings for Cooper.

It's hard to tell that Craddock is still learning to play the right back role, and Sweeney is full of energy in the middle of the park.

Craddock isn't afraid to get forward and can send a decent ball into the area from out wide. It was from his pass that Boyd netted the winner.

The third-year scholar - he's yet to sign his first professional contract - also made a great saving tackle when the score was level at 1-1.

As Pool pressed forward, the teenager was the only defender as he closed down James Hayter inside the Bournemouth half. Derek Holmes was in acres of space on the right, but Craddock's timing was impeccable as he stole the ball off the marauding striker.

Holmes - a former Pool target during the days when Cooper was his boss at Ross County - was involved in the visitors' goal. He was standing deep inside the Pool penalty area in an offside position when Craddock cleared and Stephen Purches lifted the ball back into the area.

The striker ran from behind the defence to win a header and the ball landed for Hayter who shot low into the corner from 18 yards.

It was a poor decision from assistant referee Russell Tiffin, but his counterpart on the opposite side, Clive Oliver, did a similar job when Pool levelled.

Joel Porter looked behind the last defender as he collected a breakaway pass from Sweeney, but the flag stayed down.

He got to the byline and cut the ball back. Defender Carl Fletcher touched it away from goal and Boyd had the easiest strike he will score all season.

Pool pressed for a second, Humphreys cutting the ball back from deep, but Chris Westwood's shot had central defender stamped all over it.

Boyd then turned the defence in a similar manner to his goal but his attempted pull-back for Sweeney was cut out.

And, just like the midweek win over Luton, there was a big scare towards the end. Fletcher nodded down for Browning and his shot cracked against the post.

Six points at the expense of their play-off rivals means it's been a tremendous week for Pool. If they hadn't won those games, then Cooper's side would only have been five points ahead of struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

Instead the season promises so much with only five games to go.