Job done, but Pools still keep celebrations on ice

HARTLEPOOL United will be playing League One football next season.

Mathematically they've not escaped from the bottom division just yet, but with a 12-point advantage over MK Dons with 12 to play for and a goal difference some 15 better than Martin Allen's side, it's as good as job done.

Richie Barker's second-half spot-kick, successfully converted after he missed one from 12 yards in the first-half, proved the difference against Accrington Stanley yesterday, although Pools dominated for long periods.

With Swindon and Walsall winning - both courtesy of late goals - Pools' advantage at the top is two points and now lifting a piece of silverware is what it's all about.

That meant there were no celebrations at Victoria Park and boss Danny Wilson was quick to keep his players' feet on the ground.

"We won't celebrate yet, but we are close - very close to achieving our aim,'' reflected Wilson.

"It's all down to ourselves. Walsall are chasing us and I would lke to think it's between the two of us fighting it out.

"If we are in a position to win the league, we have to take the responsibility, but the good thing is that it's in our hands.

"These players deserve the chance because of what they have done so far - they've been on a great run. I would like to think they will get the championship at the end of it.

"I thought today we were a bit nervy at times and we needed to score first to settle us down.

"We had chances, lots of chances, and perhaps at times it looked like it wasn't going to be our day in front of goal.

"But we held our nerve and saw the game out against a team who are very physical and very strong.

"But we were calm and there is no doubt we deserved to win the game. We couldn't get a second goal and it was a bit nervy at times.

"But we are nearly over the line and let's hope we can play with a bit more freedom next time out.''

He added: "Only having that one goal meant it was a bit difficult, but we saw it out.

"You want utopia - winning games and scoring lots of goals, but it's not always like that is it?

"At this stage of the season, it's about grinding results out and we were against a team scrapping for their future. They weren't coming here to admire our football.

"It's difficult and the crowd were a bit nervous at times as well, waiting for that second goal.''

After an insipid start proved costly at Barnet at the weekend, when Wilson's side lost for the first time in 24 games, Pools were into their stride from the off.

Barker charged down a clearance from keeper David Martin on the touchline and swiftly lobbed the ball back into the danger zone.

With Martin scrambling back, big defender Rob Williams nodded away under pressure.

James Brown was up for the game and his teasing cross forced Martin to prevent it from creeping in at the near post. The keeper crashed into the woodwork for good measure.

Brown interlinked cleverly with Andy Monkhouse and laid the ball into Barker's path, but a trio of red-shirted visitors hoofed away.

Accrington weren't afraid to get forward on the counter-attack and, after Darren Williams headed away inside his own area, Sean Doherty picked up possession and shot straight at Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Pools went to the other end, Barker headed into Gary Liddle's path and his effort was hacked off the line.

Liddle, restored to central midfield, was outstanding throughout, while alongside him Willie Boland was far more influential than in his comeback game 48 hours previously.

Pools went desperately close to taking the lead on 29 minutes. Micky Nelson headed on, Brown turned and lifted his shot on to the bar, Liddle scuffed the follow up and Eifion Williams headed on to the top of the net.

It was even closer six minutes later. Monkhouse was felled inside the area and Pools were awarded a spot kick.

Barker, with two successful and powerful conversions to his name since moving to Victoria Park, pushed his tame shot wide of the goal.

There was no let-up in the dominance. Pools could easily have been four goals to the good, and Brown smashed another shot against the post.

In the second half Pools still couldn't break down limited but resolute opponents.

But, given a second chance from the spot, Barker wasn't going to pass up the opportunity.

Latching on to Monkhouse's lobbed ball, he was pulled down in the area by big defender Godwin Antwi.

Nerveless and without hesitation, he smashed his kick to the right of keeper Martin as Victoria Park erupted.

"Credit to him for taking it,'' said Wilson. "He was confident and what a great penalty. There was a bit of feeling in it and if the keeper had got to it, he would have broken his wrist.

"Maybe he was trying to be a bit too precise with the first one.''

At around the same time news arrived of Shrewsbury taking the lead over MK Dons.

A slip by Micky Nelson let striker Andrew Mangan in on goal and Dimi Konstantopoulos was quick to smother.

Seconds later, Nelson's textbook tackle won possession from Mangan and the visiting substitute needlessly kicked out at the defender.

Referee Scott Mathieson was right on the button and instantly flashed a red card.

Stanley pushed men forward, despite their numerical disadvantage and caused a few nervy moments towards the end.

Joel Porter was introduced for the tireless Brown and was bright and inventive. He soon teed up Barker after a mazy run. Faced with a tap- in for his 20th goal of the season, Barker was denied as somehow Martin got across goal to paw the ball away.

Martin then plucked David Foley's intelligent lob out of the air, as the second goal just wouldn't arrive. Confirmation of promotion, however, should come at Wycombe on Saturday.