POOR Carlton Palmer can't belittle Hartlepool United now.

Remember, Stockport manager Palmer was the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder who once had a go at Pool's players while a Premiership midfielder.

But instead of asking the Pool players how many cars they have or how many England caps they have in their trophy cabinet like Palmer allegedly asked Brian Honour in 1993, perhaps Neale Cooper's high-flyers can return the compliment. Pool last night won at Stockport, a result that lifted them up to second place in Division Two.

County, meanwhile, linger in the bottom-four. Marco Gabbiadini was the match winner - netting a superb individual effort in the second period - and after that Pool defended as if their lives depended on it.

Micky Nelson and Chris Westwood again stood out at the back, but Mark Tinkler was the hero; his best show of the season both in midfield and then later in defence. And after ten goals and two wins - moving Pool within a point of the leaders - who is tipping Pool for a season of struggle now?

It would be nice to think Palmer, the fulcrum of Graham Taylor's version of an England team, wasn't. Six minutes and Humphreys had the first effort, a fierce first-time strike which was right down the throat of keeper Nick Colgan.

And a minute later, Pool were in front, through Eifion Williams. Gavin Strachan's free-kick was headed back into the area by Micky Nelson, Humphreys nodded in over the static defence and Williams confidently struck home from eight yards.

Marco Gabbiadini had the next effort, weaving his way into the area and shooting low at the keeper from an angle. Stockport's only asset appeared to be to try and use the pace of Ali Gibb on the right and the recalled Andy Jordan was having trouble keeping up with him.

The movement from Pool's front men was causing all sort of problems when they attacked; not quite as many questions as it raised against Grimsby last week, but enough to make Stockport look a very limited outfit.

But limited and Carlton Palmer have gone hand in hand over the years. Jim Provett made a solid stop on 25 minutes after Gibb struck a first-time shot at goal from 25-yards through a busy penalty area.

Just like Friday, Pool played three strikers, but this time Williams was in a deeper role, doing plenty of tracking down the right side when necessary.

Gabbiadini so nearly made it two. He ran at the defence and as they backed off on the edge of the area, he curled a shot around keeper Colgan, but also wide of the mark.

Just before the break, the home side levelled. Jim Goodwin crossed from the right byline and from a tight angle, Owen Wilbraham touched the ball past Provett.

Robinson showed blistering pace to latch onto Gabbiadini's through ball seconds after the restart, but Mark Tinkler's shot after picking up his pass went wide. But Gabbiadini showed how it is done on 53 minutes. He burst through two defenders on the edge of the area, cut inside two more on the angle of the six-yard box and rifled the ball low across Colgan.

Pool's hearts were in their mouths seconds later when Wilbraham's cross struck Westwood's arm, but referee Tony Leake gave Pool the benefit of the doubt.

Cooper then took off Robinson, replacing him with Matty Robson as he opted for three central defenders.

Provett made a fine save low to his right after Jonathan Daly met a low cross at the near post.

As Stockport got on top, Cooper was unhappy with Jordan's display and soon took him off. Tinkler moved into the back three, with Ryan McCann taking his midfield role.

Only a stunning one-handed, last-minute save from Provett kept the points in the bag - but how Pool deserved them. Didn't they Mr Palmer