REPUTATIONS count for nothing at Victoria Park these days.

Oxford arrived on Saturday labelled a tough nut to crack, seven games unbeaten and the division's meanest defence on the road.

Hartlepool United striker Marcus Richardson started the game knowing he has flattered to deceive on many occasions on his 14 starts this season.

And so Oxford headed back down the M1 with their tails between their legs after being outplayed and outclassed by a inspired Pool team and an inspired Richardson. The big man caused Oxford's three central defenders no end of trouble all afternoon with his strong running and powerful bursts.

Richardson has pace and this time he used it to good effect. Until Saturday it appeared his biggest strength was holding the ball up with his back to goal; not now. Get the ball in behind the defences and watch him go.

Lumbering defenders like Andy Crosby and Matt Bound couldn't handle it and plenty others won't either.

And as Richardson ran riot, Pool were inspired by Ritchie Humphreys.

His strike put Pool in front and from then on played with the confidence of a man who had rifled in a 20-yard volley.

"We're going up as champions" sang the cocky Oxford fans from the start. Perhaps they would like to change that tune because they are 16 points behind the leaders.

Pool and Rushden have streaked ahead from the chasing pack, the Diamonds matching Pool result for result of late.

Saturday's win was Pool's fourth in a row - their third double in a row as well after wins over Carlisle and Boston - their best sequence of a memorable season and with 56 points in the bag already, the remaining 19 games promise untold riches.

"Marcus's goals were reward for all his hard work,'' reflected boss Mike Newell.

"We've been trying to get him to turn and run at people because that's where we feel he will hurt sides, they don't really want him running at them with his pace and strength. But when I got here he was always holding it up and not hurting people. If we can get him to do what he is good at then we will get a lot more out of him.

"His second goal seemed to take an hour to roll in, but he has done the lad with his pace and got away from them.''

With Gordon Watson not a million miles away from a return, Richardson, the striker with a touch of the unexpected about him, showed he won't be giving up his place easily.

His first came when Jon Bass back-heeled the ball into Humphrey's path in the penalty area and the ball found its way to Richardson, who fired past advancing keeper Andy Woodman.

Number two in injury time saw him race beyond and away from the defence to push the ball past the keeper.

"I don't know where I got the energy in my legs from to run away and score at the end,'' he said. "Maybe it's down to confidence because I knew I had the beating of the defenders.

"I was turning them and running at them and causing them all sorts of problems. I will just keep going all game. If I can't make it then so be it, but I'll keep trying. I wouldn't say I like the ball over the top to chase, but I like to play with the ball in front of me. I've got pace and I'm not bad running at people.

"My performance on Saturday was one of my best. All I try to do is give my all for the club and to be fair the crowd have been great for me since I've been here. I haven't scored in a little while but every time I get the ball they are encouraging me.

"It's great to play in front of a crowd like ours. They have been great from day one, both at home and away and they contribute a lot to the club.''

It was Humphreys who first gave the crowd something to cheer about.

He picked the ball up on halfway and fed Darrell Clarke, who lofted the ball back into his path. From then there was only one thought and from a little over 20-yard he let the ball bounce and cracked it first time into the net.

Humphreys has the confidence to shoot from distance, he's been so close on so many occasions, and it paid off on Saturday.

As much as Oxford are tight at the back, they are tight up front as well - leading scorer Andy Scott has just five goals - and it showed as they levelled without registering a shot of any note.

They equalised when Jefferson Louis crossed low from the right and after the ball evaded Anthony Williams it cannoned in off Micky Barron's shins.

That slip aside, Barron was comfortable back in the middle. Chris Westwood was as impeccable as ever alongside the skipper on the first time he's been without Graeme Lee this season.

But from then on it was all Pool. Chance after chance was created as they tore Oxford to bits.

Result: Hartlepool United 3 Oxford United 1.

Read more about Hartlepool here.