FOUR successive wins, seven goals on Saturday, three points and one game to go with everything to play for - what more can you ask for from Hartlepool United?

While Pool were thumping seven past Swansea, it was one of Pool's old boys who had just as big an impact on the play-off race.

Ian Clark might be looking at the play-offs from afar, but his goals for Darlington against Scunthorpe helped Pool move above Brian Laws' side and, coupled with Rushden's slip-up against Kidderminster, means a huge, nervous and exciting day beckons on Saturday.

While Pool are at Exeter, Rushden go to Halifax and Shrewsbury are at home to Luton. If either of the sides slip up and Pool win their fifth game on the trot, Pool will be in the play-offs for the third season in a row.

If Saturday's form is anything to go by, Pool will do their bit. It's the others they are relying on.

The last time Pool netted seven in a League game, Adolf Hitler was thinking about moving into Poland and Italy won the first World Cup; on March 17, 1934 and in front of 1,836 spectators, Barrow were on the receiving end of a 7-0 thumping.

Over the years, Pool have been on the receiving end of similar scorelines. They lost 8-0 at Swansea on April 1, 1978 and one of the Swansea legends on target with a hat-trick that day was Alan Curtis who looked on in disgust from the Press Box on Saturday.

But the Pool class of 2002 is different and this season it's been in Pool's favour. There have regularly been fives, fours and threes at Victoria Park - only Manchester City have scored more at home in British football than Pool.

Remember as well, that this is the team which lost its top scorer last summer and has had its second top scorer suffer an injury-wrecked season. Pool had 22 goals from Tommy Miller to find and 19 from Kevin Henderson from last season.

And how Chris Turner has managed it. On this form it's not out of order to declare this the best - certainly the most entertaining - team in Pool's history and Turner the best manager.

Whatever division Pool are in next season, it can only be hoped that come August, Turner is still in control.

For his Swansea counterpart what should have been a day to remember became one he'll never forget.

Nick Cusack was appointed manager on Friday and on Saturday he suffered the biggest humiliation of his career. Turner said the result could be a good thing for the rookie boss, because at least he knows the size of the job, but it's odds-on he won't feel that way today.

But Turner joked he wasn't even satisfied with seven. "After the seventh goal, I turned to Paul Stephenson and said 'I can't believe we haven't had a shot on goal since the seventh goal' and he said 'I can't believe what you have just said!' It was an amazing game.

"We have had many a game this season where we could have scored seven, eight or nine - and if we had really gone for them we could have got ten.

"I've never been involved in a 7-1 scoreline before - to win by six clear goals is amazing.

"It was an amazing game. I thought they started the game well and you would never have known after 15 minutes how it would turn out.

"You have to give credit to the players - Darrell Clarke got a hat-trick and could have had even more.''

Pool are assured of a big support at Exeter on Saturday and Turner said: "Over the season I feel we have been one of the best teams in the league.

"I'm disappointed really that we are looking at the play-offs and not the top three.

"But if we get it next week then we will take it. If not we can look to next season. We will keep this squad of players together and look at having a real go.

"Saturday will be a very important day for us. We have kept the season going right to the end and we appreciated the crowd on Saturday.

"If we don't make the play-offs then people went away on Saturday with a smile and hopefully will remember it when it comes to buying season tickets.''

And with Clark doing Pool a big favour, Turner quipped: "I've always said the deal was a good bit of business - Paul Smith creates endless chances and Ian Clark has scored the right goals at the right times for Darlington!"

The Victoria Park faithful gave Pool a huge reception at the end as they marked the end of the home League programme.

Even the Swansea fans in the Rink End were moved to join in. After what they had witnessed it was hard not to appreciate.

The first goal came thanks to a one-two between Clarke and Gordon Watson and the midfielder slotted in. When Swansea levelled through Andrew Mumford's low shot six minutes later, thoughts of the play-offs were a little shaky because Swansea then made a game of it.

But Clarke smashed a volley onto the bar before flinging himself at the ball to nod in right on the half-time.

If that deflated Swansea going into the break, one minute and 21 seconds into the second half they were down and out.

Eifion Williams collected Paul Smith's through ball, took it in his stride and rolled it across 'keeper Jason Jones. Another Smith cross landed on Clarke's head for his treble.

Adam Boyd came on to replace Mark Robinson on 68 minutes; 60 seconds later his first touch brought goal number five.

Boyd was standing on the far post as Pool defended a corner, Ritchie Humphreys sprayed a stunning ball to Watson, he nodded it into James Coppinger's path and he laid it off for the on-rushing Boyd to net.

Pool's last penalty was on September 22 against Kidderminster. Watson wanted to take it, but someone called Ian Clark was having none of it and he missed it.

Watson, however, never looked like he was going to miss; it was one of those days.

And neither was Kevin Henderson who steered in another Smith cross - his fourth assist on Saturday - for his first goal at home since the play-off defeat to Blackpool last season.

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