HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner last night revealed his record-equalling players are making his job easy.

Tuesday's goalless draw at Chesterfield ended a run of seven consecutive victories - three points would have broken a long-standing club record.

But no-one at Victoria Park was complaining as Turner's side held the runaway leaders and moved into the play-off zone in the process.

And the Pool boss admitted his focused players are taking care of the pre-match team talk themselves.

"The players are saying it for themselves, in terms of what we want them to do,'' said Turner.

"The players are now telling each other what we need to do and why we need to do it.

"The players know now what is expected of them and are telling each other and it's transferring on to the pitch as well.

"I think we've come so far and I think we've come to the point now where we can challenge anybody in the league - home and away.

"If we can keep our players fit and focused I think we've got a very good chance.

"Several people have said that we were the best team to play at Saltergate this season. Cardiff people said that as well when we went there.

"We're getting there, we're getting towards being a top-six side, most definitely. We're getting to the stage so that we can push the top three now. It's come earlier than I would have presumed - in 18 months we've come from being relegation candidates to being able to challenge anybody.

"I think we're strong, we've got pace up front with Craig Midgley and we've got people coming into the team this season who have added to last season's strength.

"I think it's only due to the injury situation in the first three months that we're not in the top three now.''

Tuesday's draw meant Pool failed to beat the records of the sides of 1968 and 1956, but Turner was proud of his players for joining them in the record books.

"I'm a little bit disappointed - I'd like to have come away having won the game, that's without question, but it was a very tall order.

"Looking back to last Thursday, we needed two wins for the record - one to equal it. If we were playing somebody at the bottom of the league and we were playing our eighth game you would definitely fancy us.

"We were close, their manager has said that. 'We're going to lose this game if we don't tighten up' - that was his shout from the touchline.''

Tuesday's point made it four points from two testing away games after winning at Cheltenham last Saturday.

Next up is Carlisle at Victoria Park on Saturday, but influential midfielder Mark Tinkler is an injury doubt.

Turner has named the same side for the last seven games, but admitted: "Mark felt his hamstring tighten up a little bit so we got him off straight away. Hopefully with a bit of treatment it'll settle down and he'll be OK for Saturday.''

Pool's reserve game at Grimsby last night was called off because of a frozen pitch