GORDON Watson is lighting up Victoria Park with his personal goal of the season competition.

His strike in last night's 3-0 win over Halifax was his eighth of the season, his fifth in four games, and his third spectacular effort in as many home games.

Mark Tinkler made it two and Tommy Widdrington slotted in his first goal for Pool - but it was Watson who set Pool on their way.

His first goal of his triple salvo against Hull 21 days ago brought the Victoria Park house down; his effort against Exeter four days later had fans drooling, and last night's first-half drive was up there with the best.

Last night's win was Pool's third League victory in a row and lifts them eight points above the bottom spot they were in before their best run of results this season.

Halifax now occupy that spot and even before they were down to ten men when Craig Middleton was dismissed, Pool looked in a confident and convicing mood.

Against Hull it was visiting manager Brian Little who suffered - last night was the turn of his brother Alan.

This time last year Pool had 23 points before embarking on a 21-game unbeaten run that took them to the play-offs; now they are one point better off - and that after what was considered a poor start to the season.

Pools started well with Paul Smith sweeping over a searching 50-yard ball with his right foot for Darrell Clarke to race onto, he fed Mark Tinkler and his strike flew over the bar.

Pool defender Lee was booked on 24 minutes after a foul on Craig Middleton, but the Halifax midfielder was red carded after lashing out at the Pool defender.

Halifax dropped Ian Fitzpatrick - brother of ex-Pool midfielder Lee - into midfield and left former Pool forward Gary Jones as a lone striker after going down to ten men.

Yet the dismissal gave the visitors a brief lift and Fitzpatrick ran from deep to rifle a 25-yard drive that beat Anthony Williams, but thankfully went wide.

Expectations of the home fans rose immediately after the red card and the voiciferous moaners spent the next ten minutes berating every loose pass as the goal they expected failed to materialise.

The whingers were silenced on 35 minutes, however. Watson took a pass from Tommy Widdrington, turned his marker and lashed in a 25-yard drive into the corner of the net. Smith was sending in some glorious crosses from the left side and this time used his left foot to find Tinkler who flashed a header over the bar.

Jones suffered a torrid time during his spell at Pool and his miserable run at Victoria Park continued last night when he was replaced at the break.

Watson almost made it two on 55 minutes. After dominating possession, Smith exchanged passes with Tinkler and his cross found Watson at the far post who steered the ball across the face from a tight angle.

Tinkler made it two on the hour rifling in his fifth of the season. Tinkler picked the ball up 20 yards out and pick his spot before drilling home.

It was soon three - and Tinkler was the architect. He broke from deep and saw Lee Butler block his shot and Widdrington had the simplest of tasks to tap in his first for Pool. The night was soured when Lee was red-carded with 17 minutes to go - booked for the second time after a lunge at Fitzpatrick.

* Pool have brought forward their home game with Luton to Saturday, December 8 from Tuesday, January 22.

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