POOL manager Steve McMahon (pictured) is convinced his players have the character the win promotion following their brilliant win over high flying Cardiff on Tuesday.

McMahon called the performance "absolutely great" and was impressed with way his players battled to get the result.

He said: "It was a brilliant goal by Brett and the whole team played well. especially Phil Barnes in goal who made some super saves.

"Cardiff are a good team and hay are difficult to play against. The sending-off helped but I honestly don't think it made that much difference.

"We deserved to win for the way we played."

He added, however, that the team must now reproduce these performances week after week to be in with a chance of going up.

He said: "Our next opponents, Lincoln City, are a tough side to play against. They don't believe in playing on the grass and it will be a real 'tin hat' job.

"But if we can battle like did on Tuesday we will be OK."

Despite the win Pool are still just outside the play-off zone as Hartlepool United beat Carlisle 3-2 on Tuesday despite being 2-0 down at one stage.

This leaves the Tangerines one point off the bottom play-off position but now only six points off third placed Cardiff and an automatic promotion spot.

After Saturday's home match against Lincoln City the Seasiders face two difficult away games at Brighton and top of the table Chesterfield.