By David Sharpling
A month ago, away trips to Wrexham and Leyton Orient in the space of four days would have had most Hartlepool fans turning in their sleep.
But after clocking up just shy of 900 miles making trips to the Racecourse Ground and Brisbane Road, the Pools faithful have every reason to feel buoyant with 13 points now from their last 15.
Last Tuesday, Craig Harrison's side shut out Dean Keates' in-form Wrexham before a come-from-behind win in east London, and the Hartlepool boss admitted the four-point haul doubled his expectations from the two games.
Speaking to the Northern Echo this week, Harrison said: “We would have taken two, never mind four. We are in good form but everyone knows that it was going to be a tough week for us.”
While many of the National League's big guns continue to stutter – Orient have now lost their last three and Tranmere are missing the goal-scoring and creative flair that made them such a threat last season – Pools are quietly gaining momentum and they will be looking to build on their gains this Saturday with the visit of big-spending Eastleigh to Victoria Park.
Speaking about the comeback win at Orient, Harrison was delighted to see his side muck it out despite Orient putting his men under pressure in the early stages.
“To go 1-0 down and be under the cosh and come away with the win was very pleasing.
“We dusted ourselves down after they had one or two more chances to score and got the goal before half-time. What a time to score.
“It gave us the opportunity to change things at half-time, tweak things, and then we came out and did the job
“I would rather we scored in the 91st minute to win the game but the 46th will do. I am just happy we were able to get the goals and see it through.”
