CHASING success at the end of the season is nothing new to Hartlepool United.

And that experience can stand them in fine fettle as this season draws to another exciting finale.

Following three play-off campaigns and a promotion, Pool have four games left to secure another play-off spot which could lead to a place in Division One next season.

After three successive wins, relegation threatened Notts County visit Victoria Park this afternoon.

Sitting happily in sixth spot and with a three-point cushion over seventh-placed Port Vale, Pool have every belief they can be in the end of season shake-up.

Mark Tinkler has moved to the back line in recent weeks in the absence of Micky Nelson and is into his fourth successful campaign in a Pool shirt.

The Easter Monday win at Wrexham was Pool's 18th of the season and Tinkler admitted: "Confidence is high with the lads right now, there's no big heads at this club and spirit is great.

"Being in this position before can only help us. This is the fifth season in a row the club has had something to play for at the end of the season.

"The likes of Micky Barron and Westy (Chris Westwood) have been here through it all. I came after the Darlington play-off games (2000) but what has happened has been brilliant for the club and the town.

"The experience of being there before can help us and, if we do make the play-offs, it would be nice to win a game - our record there isn't that good is it?''

If the table stays the same, Pool would face QPR in the end of season shake-up and Tinkler said: "There's some quality teams in there and if we get there this time, who knows?

"All the results went our way last Monday and we are in a strong position.

"We've another good home game to come and hopefully we can push on.

"Out last two games could be interesting, especially Swindon on the last day. It could be like last year when we went to Rushden with everything to play for.

"It will be a big game and the last four will all be like that. It's tight at the top, but we have a little cushion.

"The fans have been quality all season and it's great for them that they have something to play for again, it's better than the season ended with nothing to go for.

"I think at the start of the season we would have settled for mid-table, everyone was writing us off and it would have been nice to be safe - but what a difference!''

Pool are fourth in the form table, behind Tranmere, Stockport and Brentford, but, more importantly ahead of the other clubs chasing a play-off place. Luton and Swindon are in the lower reaches of the form table.

Tinkler's new role in the back four is one he has comfortably taken and the team has coped without his strength in midfield.

But he admitted: "I felt absolutely goosed after Monday's game! They are a decent side and it was a boost they a couple went off injured.

"I'm enjoying it at the back. I've played there before at York and when I was at Leeds I did it in the reserves a few times as well, so it's not something which is new to me.

"It's going OK and it's good to play alongside Westy. He's having another good season and Micky Nelson was playing well with him before he was injured.

"I was the spare man at the back at Wrexham, we had to go three at the back because they caused us a few problems at times, but when we matched them we were more than comfortable.

"Our away record is brilliant, it's great to win so many away, and if we hadn't drawn so many at home we could have been in the top two.

"But we've won three games over Easter, it's a big period and the results have done us the world of good.''

While Pool look for a quick route out of the division at the top end, today's opponents could be heading the opposite way.

Notts are second bottom and five points adrift of safety.

Boss Gary Mills said: "This is it for us - this is crunch time. We need to win this match, otherwise we are down.

"We know we have a poor away record but this is a match we have to win so the players just have to go out and do it."

* Pool supporters are advised to keep their ticket stubs from both today and the home game with Plymouth on May 1 in case the club reaches the play-offs and tickets are in short supply.

* Notts County yesterday completed the permanent signing of David Pipe after the Wales international's contract at Coventry City was cancelled by mutual consent.

Pipe has agreed a two-year deal with the relegation-threatened Magpies having initially arrived at Meadow Lane on loan back in mid-January.

But with his three-month loan due to expire, County manager Gary Mills, formerly the first-team coach at Coventry, pulled out the stops to ensure the 20-year-old would sign a permanent contract in time to feature at Hartlepool today.

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