AS he stood on the Adams Park pitch, watching his players take the plaudits from their supporters, all Danny Wilson afforded was a smile and a swift return of applause to the crowd behind the goal.

Wilson isn't the sort of manager to let his emotions run away in the heat of the moment, and even after securing promotion from League Two on Saturday, his thoughts quickly turned to their next job - making sure they stay in top spot.

Pools have led the table since mid-February and hold a two-point lead over Walsall.

Wilson allowed his record-breaking players the chance to celebrate on Saturday night, but this morning it's back down to work on the training ground in preparation for Friday's visit of Notts County.

"I don't think there is any records left to break now! It is no small achievement, they have been terrific, but we are not finished yet,'' he insisted.

"I think people have seen the desire the lads have to go into the history books as the first Hartlepool team to win the league and lift silverware.

"In the dressing room afterwards you wouldn't have thought they had just won promotion because they are so focused on what they want to do.''

He added: "I don't get carried away with the results whatever they are. I try and keep a happy equilibrium.

"If you go over the top when you lose 3-0 and rip into the lads it is hard to get them back.

"And likewise if you go over the top and they are over-confident and come undone.

"The pressure is still on because we want the title. The lads went back out and acknowledged the fans, they deserved that, but make no mistake they are focused on winning the title.

"We haven't let anything around us have an affect on us. We have stayed focused.

"The lads showed again how focused they are and how much they want that trophy.

"It would have been easy to come here and settle for a point or think that we would be okay on goal difference. It doesn't work that way, if you want to win something you have to be prepared to go the distance.''

It was Wilson's biggest signing to date, Richie Barker who scored the key goal on Saturday.

Barker moved to Pools from Mansfield in January and has impressed all at Victoria Park crowd.

The Pools boss has long admired the front man and tried to sign him in the early part of the season.

In the end, his wait paid off.

"Richie has been fantastic for us,'' admitted Wilson. "I have been a great admirer of his for many seasons and when we heard there was a possibility of getting him there was no doubt in my mind that we had to go for him.

"I think we had the better, clear cut chances but we were maybe a bit nervous in front of goal.

"It was a great goal, it was a fantastic delivery from Andy Monkhouse and Richie did well at the back post.''

Wilson added: "That was a big game for us and it was massive for them as well.

"We knew we would have to work very hard. The game was nip and tuck at times but we had the clearer chances.

"We dug in very well and the second half was like a cup-tie.

"They had a lot to play for as well and it made for a good game.

"We knew one point would have been enough but we wanted all three because we want to go for the title.

"I was very relieved to score because the first goal was going to be important and that proved to be the case. Our goal knocked the stuffing out of them.

"It is nice to be able to think about League One but really our focus is all on Notts County on Friday.

"If we can get a win in that one then it puts a lot of pressure on Walsall.