CHRIS Turner last night saluted Darrell Clarke as Hartlepool United gear up for a play-off assault.

Pool go to Exeter on Saturday needing three points in the hope that Rushden or Shrewsbury slip-up.

And after Clark bagged a hat-trick last Saturday to send Pool into the final game of the season on a high with a 7-1 win over Swansea, Turner said: "Darrell is Tommy Miller mark II; he can get forward, he gets back. The only difference is that Tommy is taller and wins more headers. But Darrell is proving he can score goals - he got three on Saturday and then hit the bar as well.''

Turner paid Mansfield £80,000 for the midfielder last summer and added: "He can play at a higher level, but there's a lot of players in this team who can play at a higher level.

"We haven't got Stephenson, Widdrington or Tinkler who four or five months ago were certainties in midfield. We've got options now and the problem we have had in midfield in certain games this season has been the ability to track opposing players, but he is able to do that.

"Ritchie Humphreys and Darrell have been magnificent of late.''

And Turner's latest recruit, Eifion Williams, has netted three times since his £30,000 move from Torquay last month.

"I'm sure he will prove a bargain,'' said Turner. "He will score goals, I know he will. He is always alert, always on the move and causes problems.''

Williams has impressed fans since his arrival and admitted: "I'm ambitous and the club are ambitous - I'd love to play in the Second Division with Hartlepool.''

Pool are assured of a big backing at St James' Park on Saturday and Turner said: "We've kept the season going right to the end and it's great for the fans. There's a chance we could be in the Second Division next season and if we do make it then brilliant; if we don't then we can look ahead to next season.

"We had great support on Saturday and if we could get that sort of support every week it would make a mega-difference to finances of the club.''

Pool's injury worries for the weekend are clearing. Williams and Mark Robinson have both recovered from knee injuries while skipper Micky Barron has a 75 per cent chance of playing after having nine stitches inserted into a knee wound.

Defender Graeme Lee last night won the Pool player of the year award, Mark Tinkler was voted away player of the year and Colin McKenzie won the young player of the year.

Former Pool midfielder and current Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock made the presentation on behalf of the supporters association.

Darrell Clarke won the award handed out by the self-styled Jolly Boys and Ritchie Humphreys was handed a honour for the Nutmeg of the Year following his piece of skill against Bristol Rovers' defender Mark Foran during the 1-1 draw at Victoria Park on March 9.

l Darlington boss Tommy Taylor has thanked the club's fans for their support, after Monday's defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle ended this term's campaign at Feethams. "They were out on the pitch cheering for the team so long after the game," Taylor said.

"I couldn't believe it to tell you the truth. What more can I say about them?

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