Exeter win has gone, Hartlepool United can't rest on their laurels

Hartlepool United might have just picked up their best result under Dave Jones's charge '“ but there will be no basking in the glory of the 3-1 win over Exeter City
Padraig Amond, and fans, celebrate against Exeter. Picture by FRANK REIDPadraig Amond, and fans, celebrate against Exeter. Picture by FRANK REID
Padraig Amond, and fans, celebrate against Exeter. Picture by FRANK REID

Pools now head into a trip to Notts County – a match which could shape the rest of their season.

The Magpies are one spot and one point below 21st-placed Pools in the League Two table.

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An away victory on Saturday would open up a gap on Kevin Nolan’s team and see Pools move closer to the lower mid-table region.

“All the players deserve the plaudits for last Saturday,” Jones told SportMail.

“But that’s finished now that game has gone.

“That’s football, you can’t rest on your laurels, you have to keep going and going.”

Jones poured scorn on the idea that Pools had clinched some sort of achievement by beating Crewe and Exeter – those 4-0 and 3-1 victories were the first time the side had registered consecutive victories.

“Back to back wins is not a record,” he mocked.

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“A home win? A 4-0 and clean sheet last Tuesday night? They should happen all the time, maybe we will get to that stage at some point.”

The Pools boss looks like being without left-back Sean Kavanagh at Meadow Lane but will be awaiting a fitness update on skipper Billy Paynter, who has had two injections on an Achilles problem.