A SCINTILLATING display of attacking football ensured Hartlepool United's unbeaten start to life in Division Two continued - and lifted them up to fifth place in the process.

Port Vale arrived at Victoria Park as early leaders, but were sent packing as Pool turned on the style in the first-half.

Paul Robinson scored at the start of the game, Marco Gabbiadini netted at the end, and in between Pool pummelled the visitors.

Fifth spot might be exceeding the expectations of many and it might be the embryonic stages of the season, but Pool deserve to be where they are.

Opponents are fast finding out that the new-boys are not there just to make up the numbers.

Neale Cooper rated this performance as the best of the season; it was the best for almost a year - the 4-1 derby win over Darlington on September 14, 2002 the last time Pool attacked as menacingly and swiftly as this.

"That was fantastic,'' he beamed. "In the first-half we played some wonderful stuff. But not being over-critical, we could have done with a second goal earlier.

"Some of the football we played was among the best I have seen. We had five good, clear chances - but again, you have to take them.

"We deserved the second goal and if they had scored it would have been a robbery.

"They cannot argue with losing, but the longer it stays at one, you are worried they might sneak one.''

And he added: "I thought Michael Nelson was on another level today. I've said every game how well Chris Westwood has played - and he did again today - but Nelse was something else, a different class.''

Vale boss Brian Horton had warned his players beforehand of the dangers Pool would present. Scouting reports, he admitted, gave glowing reference to Pool's ability.

They took little notice, because just 87 seconds had gone when Pool took the lead. Matty Robson's free-kick was returned into the penalty area by Ritchie Humphreys and when Ryan Brown hesitated, Mark Tinkler nodded it down for Robinson to crash home an angled volley.

And the former Newcastle striker went close to making it two soon after. He burst through the visiting defence and fired his shot into the side netting from eight yards.

Gabbiadini showed his ability on 20 minutes, when he turned and rifled a 25-yarder which keeper Dean Delaney tipped over the bar at full stretch.

Pool were well on top against the team with three wins from three and were giving a strong performance against the side supported by Robbie Williams.

Pool had the feel of the game and a neat move on the right saw the Vale defence come undone again. Tinkler fired over a meaty cross and although Humphreys connected, he found the crossbar and the supreme Gabbiadini lost his footing as he went for the rebound and fired over.

From Ritchie Humphreys' corner, Micky Nelson's header was cleared off the line by George Pilkington.

Pool were tearing Vale to pieces. Robinson was played through by the neat and tidy Strachan, only to do something stupid and lift his shot over keeper Delaney and the bar.

Gabbiadini was doing all the spade work for his strike partner, pulling the defence all over for others to exploit. In defence, Nelson was again dominant, in midfield there was energy in abundance. Pool didn't want half-time to come, but Vale had yet to register a single effort of note.

A crossfield ball, floated with the outside of his foot, from Gabbiadini came to Clarke who fired over with his left foot.

Nelson, a 6ft 2in defender, was getting a feel for joining in the show. A tidy backheel on the edge of the box played in Humphreys and his cross was deflected.

Yet, Pool almost paid for their profligacy. Mark Bridge-Wilkinson's free-kick found the head of Steve McPhee and after he headed past Provett, he was flagged offside.

Tinkler went close seconds after the restart, passing straight at Delaney from eight yards out. Westwood followed suit, heading Strachan's corner at the keeper.

The game was more balanced after the break, Vale flung a few hopeful balls into the area, but to no effect, and Strachan sidefooted wide from 12 yards.

The visitors were creeping their way back into it and it was up to Pool to get the initiative back and Robinson almost looped a header over the keeper.

Gabbiadini, a threat throughout, met Robson's deep cross and headed into the side netting.

Robinson went off on 81 minutes, to be replaced by youth team striker David Foley - who now has the accolade of being Pool's youngest-ever first-teamer at 16 years and 105 days.

That record had previously stood since 1965 and John McGovern but has now been broken twice in a year after the introduction of Steven Istead last season at 16 years and 189 days.

Istead was brought on minutes before Foley yesterday as Cooper continued to pin his faith in youth.

It paid dividends soon after. Istead ran 70 yards with the ball, never at full pelt, but always found the space opening up. He eventually wormed his way into the box and was pulled down by Michael Cummins. Gabbiadini saw his penalty saved, he tried to knock the rebound in and was amazingly given a second chance after the assistant referee ruled that defenders had encroached into the area.

Second time around and he made no mistake.

His last goal at Victoria Park was also a penalty. Another controversial one at that when he put one away for Darlington at the Rink End in the play-offs of 2000.

Fair to say this one at the opposite end was greeted with a bit more glee.

Result: Hartlepool United 2 Port Vale 0.

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