HIGH-FLYING Hartlepool United have been handed a £1m boost.

Pool, fourth in Division Three with just five games to play, will receive a grant of £1.12m from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

Club officials remained tight-lipped last night and refused to comment on the award as they have still to receive official confirmation from the organisation.

But Tom Pendry, chairman of the fund, revealed: "I am delighted to be able to award such a large sum to the club.''

The grant has been issued to complete Pool's redevelopment of the Mill House Stand at Victoria Park.

After completing phase one of the work that included laying new terracing, they will now press on with phase two, which involves constructing a new perimeter wall and installing more turnstiles to comply with the Taylor Report.

The improvements will mean an increase in capacity to almost 8,000.

Pendry added: "I congratulate Hartlepool on their plans to redevelop their stadium.

"The Fund is committed to investing in the country's football grounds, creating safe and secure environments for fans to enjoy the national game.''

Pool were forced to re-apply for the grant to complete the work after the Football Trust was disbanded and the new organisation was formed.

On the field, defender Graeme Lee stepped up his return to action yesterday with a goal.

Pool's second-string drew 1-1 at Hull, with Lee - forming a front-line partnership with Jermaine Easter - netting a late equaliser and crashing a shot against the bar as he bids for a first-team call-up after being out for the season with cruciate knee ligament trouble.

Coach Colin West said: "Spike formed a good partnership up front with Jermaine and caused a lot of problems.''

Pool also fielded right wing-back Colin Morton, who is on trial from Hibernian.

The Ashington-born 20-year-old started his career at Derby before moving North of the border in 1999.

The club shop is open from 9am to 2pm tomorrow to sell tickets for the all-ticket clash with Hull on Saturday.