Hartlepool United 2 Yeovil Town 1: Match report, winning start for Craig Hignett as boss

A fortuitous 58th-minute penalty by Billy Paynter set Pools on their way with Adam Jackson's first goal for the club sealing it 20 minutes from time.

There was a late scare after Francois Zoko headed in three minutes into stoppage time but it was too little, too late.

The victory moved Pools up one place to 21st with another home game to come on Tuesday night against Notts County.

Hignett almost enjoyed a dream start with a goal in just 29 seconds, Jake Gray skimming Artur Krysiak's bar with a right-foot volley from Nathan Thomas's cross from the left.

Gray was on fire early on and was denied from 25 yards by a superb flying Krysiak save in the eighth minute.

Yeovil had not come for a point and former Pools loan striker Ryan Bird sawa shot deflected over the bar and centre-half Nathan Smith smashed a left-foot shot against the outside of Trevor Carson's

right post.

There was derision from the home fans as former Pools winger Jack Compton limped off injured in the 26th minute, Harry Cornick replacing him.

Great feet by Billy Paynter sets up a chance for Thomas on the half-hour mark but the livewire winger could only find Morrisons carpark with his shot from the edge of the box.

Half-time:

Pools 0

Yeovil 0

Pools had their first shot of the half in the 52nd minute when Woods had an effort deflected for corner.

However, play went straight to other end and Pools had a let-off when Zoko blazed over.

The Glovers were playing with confidence now and Everton loan man Walsh went just wide from 25 yards.

But Pools took the lead in the 58th minute through PAYNTER'S penalty.

Thomas 'bought' a foul from Jakub Sokolik on the edge of the box and referee Kevin Wright pointed to the spot, Paynter putting his shot into the keeper's bottom right corner.

It could have been two moments later when Thomas scampered clear only to put his left-foot shot over the keeper and bar.

Hignett made a double change bringing on Carl Magnay and Rakish Bingham for Nicky Featherstone and Thomas.

And Pools doubled their lead in the 71st minute. James threatened in the box, winning a corner which Richards played high into the box for JACKSON, who smashed a header home via the bar.

Yeovil's woes increased when they wnt down to 10 men in the 78th minute.

Paynter and Smith were involved in a disagreement and after the Glovers defender raised an arm to the Pools skipper, referee Wright brandished a red card.

Paynter was booked for his involvement in the incident.

Yeovil pulled a goal back in the third minute of added time when ZOKO headed in from Connor Roberts cross.

But it came too late for the Glovers.

FULL-TIME:

HARTLEPOOL UNITED 2

YEOVIL TOWN 1

Pools: Carson, Richards, Bates, Jackson, Jones, Featherstone (Magnay 61), Woods, Gray, Thomas (Bingham 63), Paynter (Fenwick 81), James.

Subs: Bartlett, Carroll, Harrison, Magnay, Hawkins, Bingham, Fenwick.

Goals: Paynter (pen) 58, Jackson 71

Booked: Thomas 52, Paynter 78

Yeovil Town: Krysiak, Roberts, Smith, Sonolik, Dickson, Tozer, Dolan (Gillett 73), Walsh, Compton (Cornick 26), Bird (Campbell 71), Zoko.

Subs: Weale, Laird, Ward, Cornick, Lacey, Gillett, Campbell

Booked: Zoko 24, Tozer 38

Sent-off: Smith 78

Referee: Kevin Wright

Att: 3,923 (away 124)