THE quickest goal to be scored at the start of the second half of an English Football League game was enough for Pools to record their sixth consecutive victory.

Antony Sweeney's strike, timed at a mere eight seconds after the resart, knocked three seconds off the previous best, scored by Wycombe's Jermaine McSporran in 2002.

Pools also started the first half well and Gary Liddle hit the bar after three minutes.

After Sweeney's chance, Darryl Duffy and the scorer missed chances to extend their lead.

And the final 15 mintues saw the defence and goalkeeper in determined mood.

Dimi Konstantopoulos made a flying, fingertip save when teammate Micky Barron headed on a free-kick.

But the defence has not conceded a goal in 502 minutes of football and go into the Boxing Day game with Grimsby at Victoria Park looking to make it a club record six consecutive shut outs.

BURY: Alan Fettis, Paul Scott, Tom Kennedy, Dave Challinor, Brian Barry-Murphy, Chris Brass, David Buchanan, Marc Pugh, Richie Baker, Glynn Hurst, Andy Bishop. Subs: Colin Woodthorpe, Nicky Adams, Andy Parrish, Matthew Blinkhorn, Jake Speight.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Dimi Konstantopoulos; Micky Barron, Micky Nelson, Ben Clark, Ritchie Humphreys; Antony Sweeney, Willie Boland, Gary Liddle, Andy Monkhouse, Darryl Duffy, Eifion Williams. Subs: Matty Robson, Lee Bullock, Jim Provett, Darren Williams, Jon Daly.

Referee: Pat Miller (Bedfordshire)