"I HATE Hartlepool, I really do," rang the lone cry from the Vale Park stand as the minutes ebbed by.

The voice, which bore an uncanny resemblance to the man who discovers his sandwich hasn't been decorated by a well-known mayonnaise, probably had about 4,000 heads nodding in agreement, because it's not hard to understand why the Port Vale faithful don't like facing Pool.

Following promotion from the Football League's bottom rung in 2003, Pool have enjoyed five wins over The Valiants.

The last time Pool lost to Vale was back in November 1994, when former - and soon to return - Pool striker Joe Allon scored in a 6-0 home victory in the FA Cup.

Since then, there's been a snow-ridden 5-2 victory in February 2004, a 1-0 win thanks to Joel Porter's 68-second goal in 2005 and two Victoria Park victories.

This win secured back to back victories for Martin Scott for the first time in his managerial career. It was the first time Pool had won successive League One games since a win at Vale Park and a 3-1 triumph over Brentford at Victoria Park in mid-February.

It could also provide the springboard for a push up the League One table.

Scott had stressed the importance of making sure his side built upon the win over MK Dons.

Thanks to Thomas Butler's industrious performance and second half winner they did just that, and how Scott will be extolling the virtues of beating Gillingham, the return of Neale Cooper and all that, at Victoria Park tomorrow night.

Butler's goal may have made it six points from six, but it didn't lift Pool much further up the table as they go to 16th. What it did do in terms of league position was put them just five points off the play-off zone. After 20 games, Scott has overseen a 15 point haul.

At the same stage last season, Pool were in 13th spot on 19 points and, on Halloween weekend, had just beaten Port Vale 1-0 at Victoria Park thanks to an Eifion Williams goal.

Williams was on target again this time, nodding in Jon Daly's header from close range.

Back in the forward line, the striker is loving playing through the middle after spending the best part of the last two seasons on the wing.

"He got his rewards with a well-taken goal and all afternoon he worked his socks off. He has done a good job for the team,'' said Scott.

"We knew we had to match them and compete. But once the game opened up, with the size of the pitch we could cause problems. The wide men and the pace of Eifion in behind them meant we would ask questions of their defence.

"Tommy Butler was getting a bit frustrated at half-time because he wasn't getting enough of the ball as he did early on. Start of the second half, he didn't get into the game and I was going to change him because he took a knock. Then he gets some space, gets forward and strikes a lovely shot.

"I'm delighted for the lad, he's been very bright for us this year. He plays on that side because he has great ability and is very good at coming inside.

"We have a good partnership out there on the left. People were questioning when Ritchie started at left-back - it was because we have injuries and because he is a good player. I think he has showed that."

It was from Humphreys' deep corner that Pool took the lead. He found Jon Daly and, from a classic poacher's position, Williams turned it in from close range.

A quick glance at the assistant and the lack of a flag meant he was onside.

Yet it was the flag of Peter Thompson which proved important in the other two goals.

First Gary Mulligan crossed from left to right towards a group of home shirts in the area. Michael Cummins' effort was pawed out by Dimi Konstantopoulos, but the keeper's arm looked suspiciously behind the line. Despite no flag, perhaps Darren Craddock thought it was in and Cummins reacted swiftly to score the rebound.

With the scores level and after a tepid Pool start of the new half, Lee Bullock fed the ball to Butler. Some 40 yards from goal and he wasn't a direct threat. But his run took him inside and up to the edge of the penalty area. He skipped over a couple of challenges and shot.

Keeper Mark Goodlad knocked it up and the ball bounced back out off the stanchion and into play. No need for video evidence here as Thompson's flag was up quicker than Laurent Robert at the Portsmouth team hotel on Saturday morning.

A single goal lead can be a hairy experience. Seconds after Butler's strike and Konstantopoulos saved superbly from Tony Dinning, then followed it up with a stop from Billy Paynter's header.

In injury time, Vale thought they had levelled, but Craig James' shot might have edged past Konstantopoulos, but it only found the side netting.

"I was pleased with the performance,'' added Scott. "I've seen things coming together in patches, especially in the last two games.

"We've had patches when we have done well, but this is the first time we have won back to back games - that is vital.

"Look at the injury list now and it's reducing, we are starting to look stronger now."

Result: Port Vale 1, Hartlepool United 2

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