Two-goal Daly leads another rout for Hartlepool

NINE goals in two away games and back to back wins - Danny Wilson's belief that his Hartlepool United side would take a few games to get going rings true.

After bagging five at Peterborough on Saturday, Pools hit four at Grimsby. Jon Daly got two, including another from the spot, Gary Liddle netted a carbon copy of his weekend free-kick, and Joel Porter completed another rout.

Pools started the season woefully, but Wilson insisted it would come together and they have found their feet in the bottom division in the last five days in some style.

They put eight past Grimsby three years ago and could have done the same again.

Liddle has proved an astute signing since his move from Middlesbrough and was outstanding again last night. Perhaps Gareth Southgate regrets letting him go.

He was everywhere last night, offering a classy option in the middle of the park.

Pools started the first half well, stuttered in the middle, but once they levelled they took control.

A flowing move through the middle involving Liddle and Antony Sweeney led to Joel Porter curling a shot at goal from 20 yards after just 70 seconds.

Then, in the brightest of starts, Ali Gibb fired a low ball right across the face of goal and just out of Sweeney's reach.

Gibb won Pools' second corner on seven minutes and from his curling cross, Micky Nelson thumped a free header wide from close range. He knew he should have done better.

Pools were full of confidence after the weekend win and didn't let the home side settle for a moment.

The only time they were in any danger was when Nelson's pass was wayward and Town tried to launch a quick attack, before the big defender superbly intercepted.

Yet Pools fell behind on 16 minutes. Peter Beagrie's corner was met by central defender Nick Fenton, who, unmarked, planted a free header high into the net.

Then Phil Bolland slid a pass through the defence and Ricky Ravenhill nipped in to fire past Dimi Konstantopoulos but against the far post.

Sweeney hobbled off on 35 minutes after feeling the effects of a strong block tackle, Willie Boland taking his place.

Liddle played a neat pass in space for the advancing Gibb, but just like his early effort, the winger again rolled his cross across goal.

Nelson had another header at goal and this one was scrambled off the line.

But Pools equalised in injury time. Beagrie had the chance to clear several times but held on to the ball like a dog with a bone and when Matty Robson robbed him, the winger's reaction was to tug his opponent down. Daly sent the spot kick high into the net.

After starting the first half well, Pools did the same in the second, but this time they got some reward. Porter turned his man and his low ball found Gibb, who was blocked as he turned to shoot.

They won four corners in swift succession and from the last Daly leaped to head over the bar.

Liddle's burst forward was cyncially halted by Ravenhill. And from a similar position to where he scored at London Road, he did the same again. This time his kick went around the right side of the defensive wall and into the net.

Straight from the kick-off Robson almost made it three but he was bundled out of the way and, from the corner, Nelson headed over from six yards.

Pools had a scare shortly afterwards when Nelson and Thorpe collided in the area as the defender hooked a cross away.

Thorpe went to ground and, amid loud calls for a spot kick, referee Deadman played on.

On Pools' left side, Brackstone and Robson were both impressive and the latter's pace caused problems galore.

He should have killed the game on 74 minutes, but after collecting Porter's pass in space he fired straight at keeper Barnes.

From the corner Nelson powered his header into the net only for the celebrations to be halted by the referee for a push.

But with five minutes to go Daly slidin on keeper Barnes to win possession and tap into the empty net.

And Porter completed the rout, tearing through the pitiful home defence to curl in with his right foot from 18 yards