MICKY Barron is still trying to come to terms with the shock of Tuesday.

Hartlepool United beat Hull 4-0 at Victoria Park, but it wasn't the result that left the Pool skipper reeling - it was his goal in the closing stages of the win that caused all the ripples!

It was only Barron's second strike on his 150th League start for Pool and his 193rd appearance in blue and white.

His only other goal came in February 1999, when he netted against Cambridge on the day Peter Beardsley made his debut for Pool.

"The lads had been ribbing me because I had two shots at Plymouth last week,'' he admitted.

"Then the ball came to me in front of goal against Hull and it seemed to take months before it went in.

"I scored and seemed to stand there for ages waiting for someone to come over and celebrate - but I don't think they realised it was me, they were probably as shocked as I was!''

But Barron, who has moved into a midfield role in the last two games, would sacrifice his rare taste of personal glory for another three points this afternoon when Pool entertain Exeter.

"There have been too many games this season when we haven't got what we deserved,'' he said. "But beating Hull like we did shows there's nothing in this league. We've just played two of the teams at the top and were unlucky not to get something from Plymouth.

"We spoke about the Exeter game straight after Tuesday. We need the same workrate which I think was there the other night.

"If we can get two or three good results in the row, we can move up to halfway and then we are on the edge of the play-offs.''

Pool will today field the same side that enjoyed it's biggest win of the season on Tuesday.

Mark Tinkler and Graeme Lee are back in contention, but will have to make do with places on the bench.

"Tinks has been superb this season,'' said Turner. "But I think the players who did well on Tuesday should be given the chance to carry it on and it would be wrong to change it.

"But I don't see him being out of the team for long.''

Turner was impressed by new boy Paul Smith in Tuesday's win and could be ready to offer the former Burnley left-winger a deal to stay at Victoria Park.

Smith is at Pool on a non-contract basis and Turner admitted: "He's shaped up well so far. He's done ever so well and we know there is still more to come when he gets fit.

"He is from the area and wants to stay in the North-East.

"We are not a million miles away from keeping him here. He is like Chris Waddle in the way he appears hunched up and lopes around the pitch.

"But the other night he put in some quality balls with both feet - he set up the first goal with his right foot - and he has a good pedigree from his time at Burnley.''

If Smith does stay at Victoria Park, it raises the likelihood of Ian Clark departing for Darlington.

Clark is behind both Mark Robinson and Smith in the pecking order for a place on the left side and Quakers' chief Tommy Taylor is keen on signing the out-of-favour former Doncaster man.

Pool's asking price is believed to be £10,000, but Quakers are hoping to get Clark - out of contract in the summer - without paying a fee.

* Pool are featured on BBC Radio Five Live tomorrow at 12.45pm.

Reporter Peter Slater was at Victoria Park for Tuesday's game with Hull and the feature includes interviews with Chris Turner, Ian McRae of IOR and Northern Echo Sports Editor Nick Loughlin.

* Pool have designated today's game a Flag Day

Read more about Hartlepool here.