Football: IT'S A POOL PARTY

Sunday Mirror, Apr 21, 2002 by ALAN LAKE

HARTLEPOOL are through to their third successive play-offs after a stunning win at Exeter.

Sean McCarthy was handed the first chance of the game when he volleyed Andy Roscoe's cross into the arms of Hartlepool goalkeeper Tony Williams.

But it was Hartlepool who took the lead on eight minutes when Gordon Watson lashed home from close range following a half cleared free-kick.

Williams then made a superb save from Glenn Cronin as Exeter looked increasingly dangerous.

On the stroke of half-time Eifion Williams went close to grabbing the second for Hartlepool when he fired Paul Arnison's cross over the bar.

Exeter should, however, have equalised when McCarthy, felled by Graeme Lee in the box, put his penalty weakly past the post.

Pool were not to be denied, though, and sealed it on 51 minutes. Eifion Williams thumped in a close range shot after Lee had connected with Smith's corner.

It was only after the whistle that Hartlepool and their army of fans heard results had gone their way - that's when the play-off party began.