CLASS will always shine through.

Back on January 6, Hartlepool were heading for a dull draw with Exeter. Just 13 seconds into the second half up popped classy Tommy Miller with a stunning strike to break the deadlock.

On Saturday, with Miller watching from the stands, Pool had gone 37 minutes without really testing Exeter keeper Arjan van Heusden.

Cue the class of Gordon Watson.

Few other players in the Third Division have the ability to finish like Watson did. And his goal had fans asking if any other striker in blue and white over the years could score a goal like it.

No one is saying that Watson is the best striker seen at Pool, but few have his ability and vision.

Watson started the move as he took a short throw, the ball found Darrell Clarke and as he saw Watson peeling away from his marker at the far side of the penalty area, he chipped the ball into his path.

Without hesitation, Watson saw 6ft 4in van Heusden just off his line and lifted the ball over him to the far corner of the net for his fourth goal of the week.

Shades of Alan Shearer's volley against Aston Villa a week earlier and now it's seven goals in 11 games since Chris Turner handed his former Sheffield Wednesday teammate the chance of a return to the professional game.

And Watson is making the most of his chance - this goal run is his best since making his debut for Charlton in 1989.

"He could have volleyed it, but instead he side footed it over the keeper and it had just enough on it to lift it into the corner of the net,'' said Turner.

A week ago Pool were bottom of the league. Now they are in 15th place and after six points from six, there's no longer a cloud of gloom hanging over Victoria Park.

The key to the victories, as Turner has been quick to point out, is getting in front first. Too often this term Pool have failed to turn their superiority into goals.

"Of course it's a major key,'' reflected Turner. "And that's what we have lacked this season. Last season in games where it was tight or we were not playing well, up popped Tommy Miller to put us in front and then we went on to win two or three nil and everything else has been swept under the carpet.

"This season has been different, but with Gordon Watson playing like he is there is always the chance we will go in front.

"He's scored seven times and he creates goals as well.''

Exeter could perhaps think themselves unfortunate not to return home with a point, but for once this season, Pool didn't play particularly well and still won.

"We scored two great goals and throughout the game we remained solid,'' said Turner. "We've scored six goals and conceded none this week, so we have to be pleased.

"In some of our performances this season we have played some good football and not scored, but there was two great finishes on Saturday to win the game.

"We didn't play as well as we did against Hull, but we cannot play like that every week - that's why we are in the Third Division. But if they work hard, they will win more games than they lose, especially with the quality of Gordon Watson and Adam Boyd.''

Watson went off with a hamstring strain on the hour mark and was replaced by Adam Boyd.

Boyd hadn't imposed himself on the game - but saved his best until last. In injury time, he danced his way into the penalty area along the touchline and showed great composure to pick out fellow substitute Anth Lormor who lashed home his first of the season.

"Adam did fantastically well on the ball,'' said Turner. "He kept his head and showed what he can do - it's not the first time he has done something like that.''

Pool have now won five in nine - and it's no coincidence it's happened since the arrival of Watson and the emergence of Boyd.

"The result went for us and at times we have lost matches like that one,'' added Turner. "We've moved up the table and it lifts the psychological burden of being bottom of the league. We always knew we were better than a bottom of the table side.''

Darrell Clarke might have set up Watson's deft strike, but Pool were thankful he was on his own line to clear when Dean Cronin's header beat the Pool rearguard.

Maybe this goalscoring lark isn't as difficult as it seemed for Micky Barron. The skipper, who started in midfield before moving back, saw a header pushed off the line by van Heusden and after rarely getting beyone the halfway line as a defender, he's now had four shots in three games with a goal to boot

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