NOT since March 2015 have Hartlepool United strung together four successive wins in the league.

Back then, Ronnie Moore was on his way to producing the Great Escape to keep Pools in the Football League.

Now in the National League, the aim is for Matthew Bates to lead them out and he’s started impressively.

Pools won at Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday thanks to two penalties from Liam Noble, the second in injury time.

Now they take on Barrow at the Super 6 Stadium tomorrow night seeking win number five. The last time they racked up five successive league wins was in February / March 2007, when Danny Wilson’s side was on its way up from League Two.

Pools weren’t at their best on Saturday against a team who had not lost at home since last November.

Noble gave them the lead when he netted from the spot after Myles Anderson was fouled in the area.

The home side levelled in the closing minutes and then Ryan Donaldson cleared off the line to keep Pools level.

But then Mark Kitching was felled in the penalty area and Noble netted again from 12 yards.

Bates told the club website: “Credit to the lads, they kept going and overall I think we deserved it.

“Even when it went 1-1 I still fancied us to get a chance and Mark Kitching has made a great run to get to the ball first and it’s a definite penalty.

“Fair play to Liam because he missed a penalty but has then come back to score three in a row now which is a great confidence booster for him and what a celebration it was at the end – it was great.

“It doesn’t matter where you go in this league, it’s always hard – they’ve been unlucky with their results so far this season so we’re all pleased to get the win.

“It’s the first time since I have been here that I have been involved with a team who can do it the hard way and win ugly because I didn’t think we were great.

“It’s the sign of a good team when you’re not playing at your best but you can still grind a result out like that.’’

Havant & Waterlooville: Young, Williams (Sekajja 72), Stock, Harris, Fogden, Lewis (Rutherford 61), Kabamba, Tarbuck, Carter, Rose (Woodford 45), Robinson. Subs (not used): Pavey, Cosgrave.

Pools: Loach, Kioso, Magnay, Anderson, Donaldson, Featherstone, Woods (McLaughlin 55), Noble (Newton 90), Kitching, Muir, James (Dinanga 72). Subs (not used): Richardson, Hawkes.