Barnet 2, Hartlepool United 1.

LAST week Danny Wilson returned to Barnsley for a celebration reunion dinner to mark the tenth anniversary of the club reaching the Premier League under his control.

Celebrations at Hartlepool United to mark promotion this season have been put on temporary hold, for a few hours at least, after a rare defeat.

Losing at Barnet on Saturday was the first time Pools had been thwarted since the Vs inflicted at Victoria Park reverse on Wilson's side last November.

Just like this run started and ended with defeats to Barnet, the previous club record it eclipsed started with a win over Southend in 2001 and ended with a defeat at Southend 21 games later.

A victory over Accrington Stanley at Victoria Park this afternoon, coupled with a defeat for MK Dons at Shrewsbury would put Pools 12 points in front of Martin Allen's side with 12 to play for.

Given that Pools goal difference is +26 against +13 of the team in fourth place and it could be all over come 5pm tonight.

Of the top eight, only Walsall - who meet Hereford at home today - won on Saturday, reducing Pools' advantage to two points at the summit.

"From our view we can't be disappointed with things overall can we?" said Wilson."We've been on a fantastic run and, yes, the lads are disappointed with this one, but let's see about bouncing back on Monday.

"And it's great to have a chance at home on Monday in front of our own fans to get back.

"We've lost, but I don't think this is a kick up the backside. I don't think we need one do we?

"The lads haven't been playing badly or deserving to lose games, we've been doing things well. All we have is a little feeling of disappointment.

"We've five games to play, everything to go for and it's so exciting.

"The priority is to get in the league above, if we can get the championship as well then all well and good, but getting up is the first aim.''

Pools were without Micky Barron and Antony Sweeney through injury and Ben Clark through illness. The latter is expected back today, but the other two remain doubts.

Clark's return will allow Gary Liddle to move back into central midfield, where his class and energy was missed on Saturday.

After the team picked itself in recent weeks, Pools started like a team forced into changes.

They could have been behind after 53 seconds, instead they were after four minutes.

Liam Hatch took possession in a tackle on Micky Nelson, fed the ball wide, then met the cross to nod down for Adam Birchall to tap in.

It took Pools too long to get going, but they were denied a penalty when James Brown was felled by Paul Warhurst as he went by the defender in the area.

"An absolute stonewall penalty - the referee got it wrong,'' said Wilson. "No arguments at all. It should be him sat here explaining the non-decision and not me.''

They brightened up in the second half, and levelled with Eifion Williams adding another impressive goal to his collection.

Taking a pass from Darren Williams he turned to goal, edged through three defenders and rolled the ball into the net for his 50th Football League goal for the club.

But that score only lasted minutes.

Andy Monkhouse had a great chance to put Williams away on the break, as the striker held up his run on the halfway line.

Instead of lifting the ball into space, Monkhouse tried a slide-rule pass and it was intercepted and returned to the Pools area.

Jason Puncheon picked it up, skipped across the 18-yard line and smashed a low shot into the corner.

His celebrations were crass, ripping off his shirt and making a play across the pitch to roar in Wilson's face.

The Pools boss was a picture of restraint, later shrugging off the event insisting that he didn't know the reason for it all, but what he didn't let on at the time was that Puncheon played under Wilson for MK Dons.

"There is a bit of history there,'' said Barnet boss Paul Fairclough. "I've apologised and asked Jason to do so too.''

Perhaps when the winger is playing Sunday league football next season on Hackney Marshes he will look back fondly on Saturday's 15 seconds of fame.

Their celebrations continued at the end, but Barnet's Cockney knees-up at the end was a bit misplaced.

"It was like a cup final for them - they have nothing to play for -and this was a big game for them,'' mused Wilson.

Opposing manager Fairclough was holding up six fingers from the centre of the pitch, presumably to signify the six points taken from Pools this season rather than the six points in the past week - they beat Darlington at Underhill last week - which has saved his side from a relegation scrap, as the players started a lap of honour as they milked the applause.

More justified and deserved joy could be witnessed at Pools this evening.