SO much for a disappointing start to the campaign at Hartlepool United. After four successive victories - three in League One and one in the FA Cup - Martin Scott's side is within sniffing distance of the top six.

Pool stuttered into gear in the early stages of this season but meet Brentford at Victoria Park today knowing victory would put them level on points with Martin Allen's side, who currently sit in fourth spot.

A goal down to MK Dons at Victoria Park three weeks ago, things didn't look promising.

But an own goal turned things in Pool's favour and Lee Bullock's late winner set Scott's side on the road to four wins in a row.

While some look at that as a turning point, Scott firmly believes his players are now getting the reward for their efforts.

"Four wins and we are pleased for the players - they have put a lot of work in during pre-season and the season so far,'' he said.

"Pre-season brought a few new players in and we've had a few injuries which have hit us hard, but I think the last few games have shown we've had all the problems, injuries, suspensions and the like and stuck together through it all.

"We've shown good character all the way. We were two goals down to Scunthorpe at home and came back. When you do that from those sort of positions it shows what you are capable of.

"Yes, we've had a bit of luck in front of goal in this little run - the MK Dons game when we got an own goal - but we've had to work hard, had to grind things out, and at times it hasn't been pretty.

"We've shown a bit of quality at Port Vale, then in the second half against Gillingham and again for the winning goal in the FA Cup last week.

Instead of being in the bottom four, Pool are now in sight of the top four and Scott added: "We haven't changed anything we have been doing all season, whatever the results. We have kept believing.

"Our away record has been good and we kept encouraging the players to carry things on.

"I knew we couldn't continue doing what we were doing - organisation, training set-up, everything from myself, Aggers and Stevo - and keep getting bad results.

"We kept believing and, touch wood, we've had four wins in a row now.

"Last week wasn't a classic performance; we had to get into the second round of the cup and did it.

"There were things to improve on and we have worked on it in training all week.''

Brentford have been in the leading places throughout this season and Pool have encountered Allen's side four times, winning one, drawing one and losing two.

One of the those defeats came in the FA Cup at Victoria Park, The Bees secured a fourth-round trip to Southampton courtesy of their one-goal win, and Scott knows what today's game will be all about.

"It's a different story this week, a League One game against a very well-drilled team," he said.

"What you have to do against Brentford is compete, earn the right to win the battle individually. If you don't they will punish us.

"They beat us here last season in the FA Cup and I thought we had four really good games against them.

"Both teams showed each other the right sort of respect. Brentford at home in the FA Cup was a typical Brentford performance, very committed and organised. They played for a set-piece and won the match from it.

"Then we played them here not long afterwards, did our homework and won 3-1.

"They have played a different formation this season, it used to be 4-5-1 away from home, this year it's been 4-4-2, and they have the best away defensive record in the league.

"Martin Allen has gone on record as saying goal-scoring has been a problem for them but they have still stayed near the top. They sneaked one last week, 1-0 at Rochdale, and that's what we have to be aware of.

"People have spoken about it, people have gone on websites about it and had their say, but we are 15 games into the season on 23 points - exactly the same as last year. With the injuries we have had and suspensions of late, it's a really good start and credit to the players for it.''