A GLANCE around the Victoria Park pitch and Tommy Widdrington maybe had an inkling of what might happen. His Macclesfield side were one goal up at Hartlepool as the minutes ticked by.

Cue Adam Boyd. Hartlepool United's hottest property since Tommy Miller moved to Ipswich in 2001.

A low 25-yard drive to level and a cross for Tony Sweeney to score the winner and Pool were in round two and a trip to Crystal Palace. As part of the Hartlepool United furniture for two seasons before being released, Widdrington had seen it all before.

"I played in games for Hartlepool when we had been chasing the game back and everyone knows it was going to come,'' he reflected. "But they are a good side, it's no surprise to me and Boydy was that little bit special.

"I spoke to him when he went to Boston on loan and I told him go there and score and make the gaffer pick him when he got back. "But I know he was really, really low when he went there. It was his last chance.

"When I was at Hartlepool I know that Newcastle wanted him. Fact. And that's because someone very high up at Newcastle told me about it. "And it's no surprise that big teams are watching him again and I know he can play at a high level.

"He has the little bit extra about him, he's good on the ball and is so clever.

"Maybe the big problem is knowing where to play him. He has the best scoring record at the club over the last five years.''

Widdrington was afforded a healthy welcome by the Victoria Park crowd on Tuesday, after making over 50 appearances in a blue and white shirt before being released by then boss Mike Newell.

It was Newell's last act before he was removed from the post and Widdrington admitted: "It's always nice to come back and return to your old clubs and I got a good reception from the fans, which was great - it's just a shame there wasn't more there!

"The lads were jibing me on the coach on the way up about what sort of response I would get and I wasn't sure to be honest. "But it was lovely and I really appreciated it.

"I loved my time here, we had to two successful seasons here. I was devastated to leave, but it happens and footballers move on all over the world, never mind just here.

"I think I showed the other night what I could do. Gavin Strachan does a similar job now and I think I am just as mobile as him, despite what one or two other people might think.

"What has happened at Hartlepool has not surprised me at all. The core is the same, but perhaps the lads have grown up a little bit more and developed.

"I'm not surprised that they are handling the new division like they are.

"Last season, I felt for them in the play-offs. I watched the games - I was supposed to go to Bristol for the second-leg, but something came up.

"I was gutted when they got two major injuries and it affected them badly.

"But who knows, they may repeat the dose and go one better after hitting the post first time around like we did when I was here.

"I really hope so, because I have a lot of good friends here.''

Pool are at Swindon today, just seven competitive games ago it at the County Ground when Pool secured a 1-1 draw and a place in the play-offs.

Boyd scored Pool's leveller that day and he will start this afternoon.

Pool, however, could be without defender Hugh Robertson, who is suffering from a sore foot, and fellow full-back Jack Ross (hamstring).