HARTLEPOOL United kept up the heat at the top of the table with a thumping win over Torquay as they made it lucky 13 at Victoria Park last night.

The 3-1 triumph, thanks to strikes from Kevin Henderson, Lee Fitzpatrick and Craig Midgley, made it 13 Division Three games without defeat - and sent Pool within one game of equalling a 10-year benchmark.

Alan Murray's promotion class of 1991 went 14 games unbeaten, to set a run that has not been matched since. Pool entertain Mansfield on Saturday and a point would equal the points tally achieved by Murray's charges of 34 from a possible 42.

Last night's win came at a cost as skipper Micky Barron was red carded in the closing moments after blocking Tony Bedeau's shot on the line with his hand.

However, it was replacement Fitzpatrick who dug out Pool's first opening of the evening. His shot from the edge of the area went as far as Henderson and after using his body to hold off Alex Watson, should have done better from six yards out instead of shooting straight at keeper Ryan Northmore.

But Pool took the lead on 25 minutes - and just like Saturday's winner at Macclesfield- the goal came from a corner. Shilton sent in the cross and unmarked Henderson directed home his 16th of the season with his head.

The goal seemed to take the sting out of the game and neither side had the desire to take control of proceedings before the half-time whistle.

After the break, the former Blackburn midfielder Fitzpatrick, bagged his fifth of the season and his second of the week to give Pool a two-goal cushion. Miller fed Midgley on the right and his cross from the right missed Henderson, but the on-rushing Fitzpatrick netted from six yards.

Provider Midgley then turned scorer in Pool's next real opening ten minutes on. Henderson was played into the area, but as he was closed down by Aggrey, squared for partner-in-crime Midgley to shoot low under Northmore.

Torquay managed a consolation with three minutes to go when Matt Hockley netted the rebound from Jason Rees' saved penalty.