TWENTY games, 123 days and 1,800 minutes of football. That's how long Hartlepool United's unbeaten run stretches to after they beat Lincoln City at Victoria Park on Tuesday night.

The result means fourth-placed Pool's advantage over Leyton Orient in fifth extends to seven points and eight above Blackpool a place below.

Since being beaten at Cardiff on November 25 last year, Pool have taken 44 points from a possible 60 as they have moved from mid-table into the thick of the promotion race.

And they now lie only four points behind Brighton, the team in the third and final promotion place. That win was also a massive favour to Darlington as Lincoln are involved in the relegation dog-fight at the foot of the table.

Tommy Miller netted the only goal of the game minutes after the break with a strong finish after a trademark surge into the box for his 41st goal in a Pool shirt and although it wasn't pretty at times in blustery and cold conditions, no-one at Victoria Park was complaining.

Without Darren Knowles who suffered concussion at Plymouth on Saturday, Chris Westwood moved to the right side with Neil Aspin coming into the centre of defence.Defender Gary Strodder returned to the bench after being out of action since the win over Southend on December 2 - the first game of the magnificent 19-game unbeaten run.

Pool knew they had to keep the run going and make the most of back-to-back home games agains teams in the bottom six this week to try and extend their advantage over Leyton Orient and Blackpool.

On a blustery night, Pool created the first opening on seven mintes when Ian Clark's short corner was met by Kevin Henderson, but the leading scorer looped his header over the bar from 12 yards.

Henderson then tried to connect with another Clark cross, but with has back to goal ould only drop the ball harmlessly into Tony Bullock's hands.

Pool keeper Anthony Williams was a virtual spectator as the visitors were forced onto the back foot as they defended into a strong wind.

The ball was spnding too much time in the air and it cried out for the Pool midfield to dictate proceedings from the centre of the park just like they did in Saturday's comprehensive in at Plymouth.

Some great trickery from Paul Stephenson on the right flank had visiting defender Stuart Bimson in knots, but his cross aimed at Henderson was cut out by the defence. Mark Robinson, so impressive on is return to action at Home Park kept his place on the left and had the confidence to try his luck from long range but his shot sailed high over the bar.

Anth Lormor stung Bullock's palms with a thumping 25-yard drive for the game's first effort on target on 41 minutes and although the ball fell for Clark the opening was lost as he tried to switch the ball onto his favoured left foot and was crowded out.

Henderson was next to ty his luck before the interval, but with Bullock beaten his curling effort bounced low and wide. That, however, was Henderson's last action as he was replaced by Craig Midgley at the interval. Chris Turner resisted the opportunity to give is side some more attacking impetus and with his side now playing into the ever-increasing wind stuck with his favoured 3-5-2 line up.

Williams was forced into action when Lincoln forced two corners and from the second Justin Walker's curlng effort was pushed from under the bar by the keeper.

Seconds later and Pool were one-up. Miller forced his way into the box and held off two defenders as he fired home goal number 18 of an ever-impressive campaign.

Lincoln, however, are scrapping for their Division Three lives and a six-game unbeaten run under new boss Alan Buckley has given them a fighting chance of avoiding the drop to the Conference for a second time.

Desite Miller's strike they refused to give in and still tried to play football - stark contrast to Lincoln sides of recent years under long-ball merchant John Beck.

Just like the first-half the conditions were having he biggest say on the game. It took 20 minutes before a chance of any note, this time Clark's curling corner was shadowed over the bar by Bullock.

Openings were few and far between and Westwood and Midgley combined o find the marauding Clark in space on the edge of the area. His shot, however, was dragged across goal.

* Pool defender Gordon Simms made his international debut on Tuesday. The 20-year-old, signed from Wolves a fortnight ago, started for Northern Ireland under-21s in their 2-0 defeat in Bulgaria.

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