HARTLEPOOL United fans are still on a high after witnessing Friday night's 8-1 win over Grimsby.

The victory, their biggest since 1959, lifted them up to fourth place in Division Two.

But for David Bell, the game will be remembered for a different reason - he only arrived at Victoria Park in time to see Pool's eighth and final goal.

Based in Mitcham, Surrey, he set off for the game at 1pm and, with 274 miles to travel, expected to be in town for a pre-match pint.

In the end, he did not arrive at Victoria Park until striker Paul Robinson completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute.

"The A1 was closed and the M1 was bedlam," he said. "I get to about eight home games a season and we were coming up for a friend's wedding on Saturday - Pools on Friday night was ideal for me.

"By the time we got to Leeds, it was about 7.45 and I could pick up the radio commentary and, to be honest, I had kind of given up.

"Then hearing how well it was going made me more determined to get there. My wife says me speed went up each time we scored."

And when the 32-year-old eventually did get there, the agony continued because he had to listen to the cheers of goals going in from outside.

"I couldn't find a parking space at first," he said. "Then a steward on the Mill House side wouldn't even let me in. He told me the turnstiles were closed and by the time I'd walked around the ground, we were 5-1 up, then 6-1.

"I eventually got in after the seventh goal - my dad has a season ticket in the Cyril Knowles Stand. I found him and shouted 'I haven't missed anything have I?'"

Pool are at Brentford on Saturday - a trip of under 11 miles for David. Perhaps he should set off on Friday night to make sure he gets there.