THE New Year promises to be a memorable one for Hartlepool United; possibly the most memorable of all.

After suffering just ten League defeats in 2002, the Division Three leaders yesterday maintained their top form, beating Carlisle 2-1.

Pool fell a goal behind before Graeme Lee and Eifion Williams turned the advantage around and Mike Newell's side are a healthy 11 points ahead of fourth place and remain three ahead of second-placed Rushden.

Pool, after back-to-back wins, now look to have come through a sticky period unscathed.

"Carlisle made it hard for us,'' said Newell. "They were quick on the break and were fairly positive - but having said that we have had a million chances.

"Their keeper played well, but it was always the case that something was going to drop for us.

"I asked them to be patient at half-time. They come in and had a load of chances and some fans were moaning. I told them not to let the fans worry them, and to be fair they didn't and we had a lot of chances.

"There's been a couple of games postponed and the win just keeps a little bit of daylight between us.''

Carlisle might be in the bottom two, but don't be fooled by their position.

They played with little fear as they created three good chances in the first-half. But Pool created 28 chances and only keeper Matty Glennon stopped Pool from a comprehensive triumph.

Marcus Richardson teed up Eifion Williams for the first chance, but the Pool striker mishit his shot.

But Carlisle broke and went controversially in front.

Assistant referee Russell Tiffin flagged Craig Farrell offside, but referee Graham Laws overruled the flag and Jamie Burt ran from deep to thump a low shot across Anthony Williams.

Pool's fans were angry with the decision and Tiffin was nodding in sympathy with supporters on the Mill House terrace as they were quick to voice their opinion.

Newell, however, believes there was no question of offside, as Burt ran unchecked and admitted it was a good decision.

Ritchie Humphreys soon went close to levelling when he crashed a low shot along the goalline from a tight angle but no-one was on hand the get the vital touch.

Tommy Widdrington shot wide and Mark Tinkler's goalbound shot was deflected wide as Pool looked for quick retribution.

A full-length save from Glennon kept out Eifion Williams, after Richardson flicked on before Mark Summerbell flung his body into the path of Widdrington's low drive.

Pool's leading scorer then turned in the penalty area and shot low across goal as the leaders searched for an equaliser.

Newell lost his skipper on the half-hour mark, when Micky Barron was replaced by Jon Bass.

Barron has been suffering from a virus and spent New Year's Eve in bed, but Bass went on to produce his best display in a Pool shirt.

Pool were having all the possession and creating all the chances, but on a subdued day they came to nothing on too many occasions.

Yet they were given a huge let-off when Westwood left a back pass horribly short and Burt intercepted, skipped around Lee and his shot beat Anthony Williams but cracked against the post.

Farrell should have netted when he missed the target from close range after Brendan McGill crossed from the left.

Glennon again saved his side in injury time. Widdrington's pass found Darrell Clarke and the keeper was quick to close down the midfielder and smother the ball.

Striker Williams should have levelled just 11 seconds into the second half when he was put through by Widdrington only to shoot wide.

A minute later Glennon then clawed out Richardson's low drive from 18 yards.

But it wasn't long before Pool were level. Widdrington's corner landed at the feet of Lee and he crashed his shot high into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Adam Rundle, signed on New Year's Eve from Darlington, was given his Carlisle debut when he replaced Brendan McGill on 52 minutes but was rarely involved on the wing as impressive Bass kept him quiet.

Referee Laws was again on the receiving end of the home fans' fury when he failed to award Pool a penalty when striker Williams was tripped in the area.

Corners were proving a real plus for Lee. Despite scoring from a flag kick, he was still only being marked by the wiry figure of Jon McCarthy and any balls aimed in his direction were won with little trouble.

Keeper Williams made a fine save on 65 minutes when Burt, on loan from Chesterfield, got in behind Westwood and cracked a low drive towards the far post which the keeper palmed out.

Clarke missed a great chance to put Pool in front on 77 minutes. He was played in by substitute Jermaine Easter but poked his shot within reach of Glennon.

But Williams' 12th of the season won the game. Mark Robinson crossed from the left, Clarke nodded the ball back into the danger area and predator Williams turned in his second in as many games.

Deep into injury time substitutes Easter and Bass combined on the right and from Bass' cross, Easter shot but Glennon was again refusing to let Pool pass.

l Gordon Watson could make a return to action for Pool's reserves next week. The striker has been sidelined since September with a broken leg, but after a spell at Lilleshall he is being pencilled in for next Wednesday's reserve game at Lincoln.