HARTLEPOOL United's away form is among the best in the country.

With eight wins on the road this season, only five teams in English football have won more times than Neale Cooper's side.

Saturday's victory at Grimsby thrust Pool back into the play-off zone, yet it still wasn't enough as they came in for criticism from both Blundell Park boss Nicky Law and midfielder Craig Armstong.

They both claimed Pool were nothing but an ordinary, hard-working side.

But, after Saturday's win came after an 8-1 Victoria Park triumph over the Mariners, defender Chris Westwood admits he can't work out why teams look down on Pool.

"Teams have probably under-estimated us this season,'' he said. "There's probably two or three teams who have turned us over and been better than us, but the rest? I don't think so.

"We came up as the new boys and people didn't expect much of Hartlepool United.

"But as long as we can play football with confidence - and we are - then we can carry things on.

"Last season we had a little bit of a sticky spell away from home, but we are well over it now.''

Pool have won more times away from home than they have at Victoria Park and have drawn eight games at home.

They have collected 29 points at home and 28 on the road and Westwood said: "I have never ever understood why teams can play well at home and not away from home.

"I think away from home teams play the way they want to play - they are coming to our place to defend and not much else.

"Away from home, it is their time to attack and that leaves it open quite nicely for us to make the most of it.''

Stand-in skipper Ritchie Humphreys is relishing the end of season run-in.

Once again, Pool are closing in on a play-off place. They have nine games remaining - five at home, four away - and Humphreys said: "We are still very much involved. It is going to go right down to the wire this season because it is so tight.

"The top three are away and running but there are still three places up for grabs.

"We can still get in the play-offs, we just need to put a little bit of a run together and stay in with that pack who are chasing those places.

"As long as we keep picking up points here and there we are very much in with a chance."

Read more about Hartlepool here.