MARK Tinkler this morning sits proudly at the top of the Hartlepool United goalscorers list.

One above Eifion Williams, two above Gordon Watson and seven goals from 14 games isn't a bad return for a midfielder.

And after being set a target of ten for the season, a first hat-trick as Pool beat Wrexham 4-3 on Saturday sets him well on the way.

"I can't believe I've got more than Flash,'' he beamed, clutching the match ball signed by his teammates which was heading for his young daughter Milly's bedroom. "It's a great feeling to score a hat-trick. I've done it in junior football before but never in a professional game.

"Mind, I'm sure Flash will be back and scoring plenty more when he's fit.''

Tinkler beat Andy Dibble with three top-drawer finishes and added: "I just caught the first one right - I don't think Andy Dibble saw it. It was a brilliant feeling - scoring like that would have done me, but to get another two as well is brilliant.

"Darrell Clarke did well for the second and I curled it round the 'keeper for the third. The best one was probably the first. I was away celebrating my fourth as well but the referee disallowed it - he said Spike was pushing someone.''

Boss Chris Turner said: "He scores like that all the time in training. I wish he would have more strikes, he's had a few this season and I don't think you will see better than that.

"I set him a target of ten and he's got three to go in a lot of games to come."

Tinkler's glory could have been snatched away as Wrexham almost salvaged a draw and he added: "It was a bit disappointing because we played so well for 60 minutes and then panicked a bit, but we got there in the end.

"But now we are clear at the top and it makes the game even more special. We've got Southend next week which will be a hard game and let's hope we can start off like we started this game.''

Pool go to Tranmere tomorrow night in the LDV Vans Trophy, but Tinkler is unlikely to get a chance to add to his tally at Prenton Park as Turner indicated he is ready to give his squad players a run out.

He said: "The Cup? I don't know - is it a cup competition? I find it more of a distraction to be honest. It's a game in midweek we don't need because we've got a League game on Friday at Southend.''

* Dibble could be reported to the Football Association for inciting the crowd after berating the Pool fans at the final whistle. The former Pool 'keeper made a number of gestures towards the Town End as he trudged off the pitch and he was shepherded back to the dressing rooms by a linesman and a group of stewards.

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