PAUL Arnison only scores spectacular goals for Hartlepool United. The last one led, ultimately, to heartache as Pool lost in the play-offs at Cheltenham, but last night's strike led to nothing but joy at Victoria Park.
Minutes before half-time his dipping volley from 25 yards broke the stalemate and put Pool on the way to their tenth win of the season.
That's more than anyone else in the division and it's why Pool's lead at the top of Division Three was extended to five points as second-placed Bournemouth were thumped at Torquay and Kidderminster moved up to second following their win at Swansea.
Eifion Williams' ninth of the season made it two and Pool have raked in nine points from nine since their slip at Bournemouth.
Arnison enjoyed his best performance since the play-offs and with Micky Barron, the suspended captain and regular right-back, available for Friday's game with York, Chris Turner was certainly given some food for thought last night.
Bizarrely, the game was watched by Pool's lowest home League crowd of the season - 3,889 - with the stay-aways opting for the armchair and Newcastle v Dynamo Kiev on ITV.
David Lee should have put Poll behind after six minutes. Wayne Carlisle's cross from the right evaded the home defence and Lee, with the goal gaping, shinned the ball into the Town End.
Mark Tinkler bagged a hat-trick on his last Victoria Park outing and he was looking for more when he flashed a 20-yard drive towards goal. Scott Howie, unlike Wrexham keeper Andy Dibble last time out, stood firm to hold on to the effort.
Adrian Coote then managed a miss which put Lee's effort in a good light. Another low cross found the striker - on-side according to the assistant referee - and he too decided shooting into the Town End was a good option.
The visitors stifled Pool in last season's home encounter, drawing 1-1 as Pool aimed to steer a route into the play-offs and they looked capable of following suit.
Only a fine save at full-stretch from keeper Antony Williams kept out Paul Tait after a deft through ball when Rovers broke away from a Pool attack.
But Pool were denied the opener on 28 minutes. Marcus Richardson's low drive was hacked off the line by Danny Boxall and as Tinkler swung the ball back in the big striker's header back across goal fell short of Eifion Williams.
Clarke, yet to get on the scoresheet this season, looked to have broken his 16-game duck when he volleyed in Tinkler's nod down, only for the assistant referee's flag to go up and halt his celebrations.
Micky Barron was suspended last night, so in came Arnison. Early on he was feeding Clarke on the right side with quality balls. The true quality, however, was to come with his goal.
Tinkler tried to follow Arnison's lead early in the second period by striking at goal from long range, but his 30-yard drive fizzed over.
Clarke floated in a teasing ball from the right which evaded Tinkler, Richardson and Smith before the orange shirts cleared.
Clarke looked sure to score as he ran on to the ball 12 yards out but his first-time drive was deflected wide.
Perhaps he should be taking some advice from Ritchie Humphreys. Last season he had to wait until December to notch his first of the season and will understand just what his teammate is going through.
Willams can't stop scoring and the striker not considered worthy of a starting spot at Torquay last season made it two on 62 minutes. Smith's free-kick was met by Graeme Lee and when his diving header was pushed out by Howie, the ball cannoned off the Pool predator into the net.
Turner introduced Steven Istead for his League bow and the pacy teenager crashed a shot against the far post with his first touch and displayed the confidence to run at the wilting visiting defence in the closing minutes.
Result: Hartlepool United 2 Bristol Rovers 0.
Read more about Hartlepool here.
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