THEY might now share an English record, but even Manchester United couldn't manage what Hartlepool United achieved last night!

A thumping 8-1 win over Grimsby took Pool's unbeaten home League run to 18 games; the same number the Premiership champions have gone unbeaten at Old Trafford and they now share the record for the longest unbeaten home stretch in English football.

But Sir Alex Ferguson's side have never managed an 8-1 win in that tally. Victoria Park was a Theatre of Dreams last night, as Pool tore Grimsby to pieces.

You have to go back to September 28, 2002 for the last time Pool lost a Nationwide League game at home, when Rushden and Diamonds stole a 2-1 victory.

In front of watching former boss Chris Turner and Sunderland chief Mick McCarthy, Pool were four-up after just 31 minutes.

Pool are now in fourth place in Division Two, after a start to the season which has exceeded all expectations and brought only one defeat.

Grimsby have not kept a clean sheet for 11 games now, and it's little wonder given how they crumbled last night. This time they were embarrassed by Paul Robinson, the ex-Newcastle striker who spent two loan spells at Blundell Park.

Robinson netted a clincial hat-trick to take his seasonal league tally to six in seven games; his previous best was four in a full campaign.

It's now got to the stage where the PA announcer at Victoria Park announces the formation with the team before the game. After starting 3-5-2 and changing to 4-4-2 last time out, this time Cooper went for 4-3-3.

Marco Gabbiadini was clattered from behind by Jason Crowe and from the free-kick, Pool were in front.

Strachan curled the ball into the danger area and from eight yards, player-manager Paul Groves sent a bullet header into his own net.

Seconds later, the advantage was doubled.

Gabbiadini was again fouled, this time tripped in the penalty area by Simon Ford as he was about to latch onto Humphreys' deft through ball.

Referee Scott Mathieson hesitated, but his assistant flagged instantly for a penalty and Robinson confidently struck home his first of a glorious night.

And after an own goal and a penalty came a goal from a free-kick. Just like at Peterborough on the opening day of the season, Strachan bent his shot over the defensive wall and inside the near post.

Just 31 minutes gone, it was four - and finally a goal from open play.

Micky Barron danced into the area, exchanged passes with Williams and lifted the ball high to the far post. Humphreys took a touch, saw his shot blocked and then whacked it home with his under-used right foot.

That was the cue for a pack of Grimsby fans to leave. They'd saw four goals rammed home in front of them, but at least they would have been home for last orders and able to see the final tally of eight from the comfort of the Fisherman's Arms.

Pool were coasting and against a team who spent last season in Division One, they could have been five goals to the good on 38 minutes.

Gabbiadini tore into the area, but struck his low shot straight at the legs of beleagured former Northern League keeper Aidan Davison. Gabbiadini's shot was the first effort they had which hadn't resulted in a goal.

It took Grimsby only three minutes to pull one back after the restart. Boulding crossed and John Rowan slid the ball home for the first goal Jim Provett has conceded on home turf in 318 minutes.

Humpreys then shot after Davison came a long way to punch, and with the keeper stranded, the ball cannoned off Gabbiadini and wide.

But it didn't take long for Pool's fifth. Micky Nelson's long ball looked easy for defender Ford, but Robinson's electric pace saw him get in front of the defender and, after going one on one with Davison there was only one outcome.

Yet five wasn't enough. A neat move on the left saw Robinson cross for Gabbiadini to easily turn in at the back post.

And Robinson wasn't finsihed there. He latched onto Williams' slide rule pass, got in front of keeper Davison and threaded a delightful ball across the six yard box for Williams to net.

Seven-one up and Pool only needed another three to match the all-time club record, 10-1 set against Barrow in the 50s.

Soon they only needed two, Robinson completing his hat-trick after Darrell Clarke teed him up

Result: Hartlepool United 8, Grimsby Town 1.

Read more about Hartlepool here.