POLAND versus Northern Ireland will form a fascinating sub-plot to tomorrow's big Hull-Town derby duel.

Pawel Abbott and Stuart Elliott have featured high in the League I goal chart all season.

While Town's Polish Under 21 cap Abbott has 16 goals to his credit, Hull's Northern Ireland frontman Elliott tops the divisional list on 23.

Town fans know plenty about Pav, but what of Elliott?

It's an intriguing story of a 27-year-old devout Christian who believes he became a professional footballer by grace of God.

Born and bred in Belfast, he first kicked a ball on the side streets off the infamous Shankill Road, the divided city's Loyalist stronghold.

Having left school, Elliott became a window cleaner, spending the working week up a ladder with a sponge in his hand and his Saturdays scoring goals by the bucketload for local part-time club Glentoran.

Inevitably, scouts started flocking to the Irish League outfit.

Scottish club Motherwell won the race, signing the penalty-box predator for £100,000 in July 2000.

Elliott, capped three times at Under 21 level while with Glens, made tremendous progress at Fir Park, and won his first senior cap against Malta that September.

He was happy at Motherwell, and the fans adored the left-sided striker who fired 23 goals in two seasons.

But the club's parlous financial state forced them to cash in on the prize asset, and Hull beat off a host of competitors to complete a £175,000 deal in June 2002.

Top scorer in his first season with 12, he notched 14 last time around as the Tigers won promotion, and that despite being hampered by illness for two lengthy spells.

This time, things have gone even better, with Elliott comfortably on course to become the club's best goalscorer in a season for a decade.

"I couldn't be happier. It's surpassed my expectations for the season already," he said.

"It's all right scoring goals but if the team isn't playing well it's not the same. It's no good me scoring 20 and us not getting promotion.

"I usually look for about 15 goals for the season. I didn't expect to get this many by the end of the year. The most I've scored is 14 last season.

"When I was in Scotland I was in double figures so that's always been something I've been aiming for.

"It's just a fantastic time for myself at the moment.

"There are no targets now. I'll just do my best and if I get 30 goals by the end of the season then I'll be more than happy.

"It is dangerous to set targets. You can shoot yourself in the foot. People expect me to score every game.

"I think that's a bit over the top. I'm basically just a winger who's been getting a lot of goals.

"I can't be expected to do it in every game, though I do demand it of myself.

"I struggled last year with a lot of illness and no one saw the best of me. Likewise, I missed nearly half of the first season here but still got 12."

The arrival of former England ace Nick Barmby seems to have helped bring the best out of Elliott.

"He's great to play alongside," added Elliott, who will be missing the service of the ex-Tottenham, Liverpool and Leeds man tomorrow because of suspension.

"I don't see myself as an out-and-out winger. I do play on the wing but I like to get in the box and get amongst it.

"I've always told myself that if I'm in the box I have a chance. Ninety per cent of goals are scored inside the box so that's my train of thought.

"I prefer playing out wide because I don't like having my back to goal.

"I'm happier running at people and coming in late where sometimes the centre-backs have switched off."

Inevitably, there are rumours that Elliott will move on.

But he insists he's happy at Hull.

"Every player worth their salt would love to play in the Premier League." he said.

"But I believe I'm here because God wanted me to be here. He's always led my path and if He wants me to go elsewhere then I'll go - and exactly on His timing."