THE last time Hartlepool United enjoyed a run of victories, Brighton and Hove Albion were in the thick of it.

Walsall and Huddersfield were dispatched before the Seagulls came next, followed by Carlisle.

That was back in October last year and it’s taken 12 months for Pools to find such form again.

Wins over Swindon and Tranmere take Pools into this afternoon’s game at the Withdean Stadium sitting comfortably in tenth spot.

Chris Turner’s side could even make the play-off zone come 5pm this evening.

“The work ethic of the players Monday to Friday is excellent and last weekend we didn’t play that well, but won,’’ he reflected.

“We have played better this season and lost, especially in the early part of the season.

“We’ve taken seven points from nine and that’s a good return, with more of an improvement to come as well.

“Back-to-back wins propel you into a good position – it’s about sustaining that and staying there. Our goal is to stay in the top half and press on from there.

“Pre-season I thought Brighton would be there or there abouts, but they haven’t done it yet this season.

“I always expect a tough game there for various reasons.

It’s a strange place to play football. They have made improvements and it’s a better place, not as bad as it used to be.’’ Pools won last week thanks to a header from defender Peter Hartley. The left-back, signed in the summer from Sunderland, has been a mainstay in Turner’s side this season.

And now, with a successful strike to his name, Turner hopes it proves a platform for improvement.

“The goal will do Peter the world of good,’’ he said. “He has played with a bit of self-inflicted pressure on him, because he’s a Hartlepool boy who wants to do well for himself and his club.

“That goal may lift some of the pressure. It’s great to see a defender scoring from a setpiece.

“Yes we have played better and been more fluent, but it’s about results.’’ Hartley, captain of Sunderland’s successful reserve team last season, accepts the challenge ahead.

“There’s still bits of my game to work on, but I’m only 21 and there’s plenty of time to learn,’’ he said.

“I played reserve games at left back once or twice, but I was at Sunderland as a centre back “I played some games on loan at Chesterfield on the left. I’m a left-footed centre back so I’m going to get pushed out there!

“When I came here, Chris Turner said he wanted me to play there and I don’t mind. I think I’m getting better in the role, just a little bit anyway.

“Playing for my home club means I am eager to impress and do well, I don’t want to let anyone down. I am trying to relax a bit more, but I’ve always been a bit tense when I’m playing.

“At Sunderland, Kevin Ball said that was something I needed to work on because I was wanting to do well and win the ball as a defender, and then on the ball and in possession I needed to relax and use it well.

“That’s something I realise and know I need to do and hopefully I can go on and have a good career from it.

“We are tenth in the table and if we win again at Brighton, you never know."