EIFION WILLIAMS was last night hailed as the man to fire Hartlepool United into the play-offs by teammate Chris Westwood.

Williams has found a resurgence in confidence in recent weeks after grabbing three goals in his last five matches.

But it was at their more illustrious First Division neighbours Sunderland last weekend that the Welshman received rave reviews from many quarters.

Williams - who has been played in an unfamiliar right-midfield role by manager Neale Cooper at times - now has six goals to his name.

Pool centre-back Westwood insists defenders should beware of the in-form former Torquay United forward.

And if Williams continues to repeat the all-action display for the remainder of the campaign, Westwood is convinced Pool will reap the benefits.

"At First Division level players are not used to being pressurised like Eifion was doing at Sunderland," said Westwood. "He has been doing that all season for us and I think it helps a striker more at a higher level if he does that because the defenders aren't expecting it.

"Higher up it is definitely quickness of mind, rather than ability. Willo is one of those players that will chase players around all game and that frightens them.

"When he does that players sometimes panic on the ball and either him or some of our other players get their chance.

"He gets his rewards for his efforts and he will continue to get his rewards."

Meanwhile, injured striker Marco Gabbiadini had a further scan on his injured knee yesterday to try to find the true extent of the problem.

The former Darlington star turns 36 this month and there have been suggestions his career may be over.

But Cooper said: "After his operation his knee is still a bit sore. He went for a scan and we will wait to hear the result. We have never said his career may be over."

*Notts County have confirmed manager Billy Dearden has parted company with the struggling Second Division side.

The Magpies were hammered 5-2 by Peterborough on Tuesday, leaving them second from bottom in the table, and Dearden has resigned after two years at Meadow Lane.

The former Mansfield manager left Field Mill to join County in January 2002 but the club then went into administration, preventing Dearden from signing any players last season.

Steve Parkin, who was Dearden's right-hand man at Notts County until last week, said: ''Billy is devastated because he'd built up a really good relationship with all the staff at the club only to find his hands tied in the transfer market, just as they'd been tied while the club were in administration.

''He'd been there two years and not been able to make one permanent signing in all that time, so he just felt he was banging his head against a brick wall.

''I've been involved in football for more than 20 years and the working environment for management at Notts County was the worst I've ever experienced.''

Meanwhile, Oldham have failed in their bid to sign Paul Gascoigne after the former England international ruled himself out of a move to Boundary Park.

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