Pool strike early to go clear at the top

Pool snapped up the chance to turn up the heat on their rivals as they won at Southend last night, and they don't have to worry about being caught this afternoon.

An expert and early finish from Eifion Williams, his eighth of the season, was enough for the points and the triumph means Pool have lost just once in 14 games away from Victoria Park.

And with back-to-back home games in the next week against Bristol Rovers and York, Pool have a real chance to establish a commanding lead at the top.

Pool, who won at Roots Hall for the first time in 33 years, were solid at the back last night as Chris Westwood and Graeme Lee continued their impeccable form at the heart of the defence and up front Marcus Richardson and Williams always looked dangerous.

Remember as well, someone called Gordon Watson is still to return from injury next month.

With just 52 seconds on the clock, Pool went in front - and they were never going to let it slip.

Micky Barron's clearance found it's way to Marcus Richardson after defender Stephen Broad slipped, and with his strike partner pulling away into space in the penalty area he teed him up for a 12-yard finish into the bottom corner.

But Southend hit back and it took a brave header from Lee to get in front of Graeme Jones in the six yard box. The Pool defence then had to face a second corner on 11 minutes as Mark Robinson needlessly headed away, but once again they proved up to the task.

Pool were looking dangerous on the break, Turner's 4-4-2 line-up giving Paul Smith the opportunity to create chances from the left wing and the fit-again flyer was quick to join in the Pool attacks.

Anthony Williams had his first save to make when he collected Ian Selley's low shot, but a minute later Pool could have been two up.

Williams found space behind the defence and squared the ball invitingly across the six yard box just out of the reach of Richardson.

Pool's early goal certainly took the sting out of the game and Southend looked a subdued side, with Turner's table toppers the livelier.

Darrell Clarke raced away on the half-hour and despite his shot being deflected wide by Leon Cort, referee Kevin Hill awarded a goal kick.

And while Cort's brother Carl struggles to impress at Newcastle United, it was another St James' Park brother - Tes Bramble - next involved. The striker had a half-chance after getting in between the impressive Lee and Chris Westwood and Anthony Williams was quick off his line to block.

Clarke's mis-hit shot landed in the path of Richardson, but it caught the striker unaware and he followed his teammates' lead by wasting a great opening.

Pool won a free-kick on the edge of the area and Mark Tinkler, hat-trick hero against Wrexham last week, saw his shot blocked by a posse of blue shirts.

But in injury time, Neil Jenkins squandered Southend's best opportunity. Mark Beard's cross found it's way to the far post and the midfielder, after taking a touch to compose himself, blasted high over the bar.

With the second-half just minutes old Williams almost repeated his first-half scoring feat. A delightful touch took him beyond Phil Whelan, and as the former Middlesbrough defender lumbered he raced away.

Instead of shooting he played in the on-rushing Clarke - but he opted to find Richardson six yards out whose shot was cleared.

The Pool strikers were in generous mood. Instead of shooting from 20 yards Williams squared the ball to two Pool players on the edge of the area, but the ball drifted across the red shirts.

With chances coming and going quickly, Pool could have been made to pay for their profligacy, and they almost did on 73 minutes as Kevin Maher, Southend's best player, picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and his shot flew inches wide.

Southend's tails were up and after succumbing to a bout of endless pressure at Bournemouth 13 days ago, Pool entered the closing 15 minutes with a lead to defend.

Tinkler acrobatically headed Whelan's header off the line to keep the home side out but that was the last chance the home side - who could have gone second if they had won - could muster

Southend 0 - 1 Hartlepool

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