Pools back to winning ways against Gateshead

Richard Money secured a first National League victory since taking charge of Hartlepool as Gateshead were beaten 2-1 at Victoria Park.

Liam Noble, who scored one penalty but missed a second in the Boxing Day clash with the Heed, opened the scoring with another spot-kick in the seventh minute after Ryan Donaldson had been brought down.

Gateshead midfielder Robbie Tinkler saw a 30-yard strike come back off the crossbar after 20 minutes, but clear-cut chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half.

The visitors should have been level early in the second half. Pools goalkeeper Scott Loach kept out a shot from Steven Rigg and Scott Boden somehow put the follow-up over the crossbar.

It was all square after 61 minutes when Hartlepool defender Myles Anderson sent a header past his own keeper from a free-kick, but substitute Patrick McLaughlin fired the home side back in front five minutes later.

Connor Thompson was not too far away from another Gateshead leveller but Hartlepool held on.