Sky Bet League Two Hartlepool United ended a five-game run without a win as they held on to win 3-2 against Morecambe.
The Pools had been struggling to win – or score – since 22nd November but after three goals in fourteen first-half minutes the home side began to take control.
Padraig Amond ended the home side’s drought by looping a delicate volley over Barry Roche after just ten minutes.
Pools fans were forced to wait just four more minutes before a second arrived through Billy Paynter. Jake Carroll’s deep cross found Morecambe player Ryan Edwards and the defender mistakenly handled the ball. Paynter made no mistake by sending Roche the wrong way from 12 yards.
On 24 minutes the home side had a third. Michael Woods’ inch-perfect through-ball allowed Nicky Featherstone to sneak behind the away side’s defence and he showed great composure to net.
Morecambe initiated a potential come-back on 52 minutes when the Pools failed to clear and Andrew Fleming’s low shot was deflected in.
Morecambe scored a second during injury time but Ryan Edwards’ effort was too little too late to conjure any chance of getting a point.
Speaking afterwards, Pools boss Craig Hignett admitted that his side could have been further ahead after scoring three goals in fourteen minutes.
