Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor praises debutants Timi Odusina and Macauley Southam-Hales following 2-0 Stockport County win

Goals from Aidan Keena and Mark Shelton in either half helped Pools to a comfortable victory over the Hatters at Victoria Park.

A first clean sheet in eight matches was something that really encouraged Challinor when it came to his new look defence.

“The new lads have came in and done brilliantly today,” he said.

“Timi was edgy for the first 10 minutes or so but he grew into the game, grew in confidence and put in a brilliant performance. Macca was man of the match and you can see he’s just the modern day full-back.

“Everything you want from your full-back he did really well. At half-time he asked if he should still be expansive, ‘absolutely’ I told him!

“At the end that picking up man of the match is great especially because it’s the type of game you want to be involved in with the atmosphere – it was a proper match. This loan spell will do him the world of good.”

Following the big win, Challinor provided some insight into the atmosphere in the dressing room.

“I’m rubbish at winning, I want the players to be the opposite,” he said. “I want the players but be bouncing and putting each other on the back after a great performance like that which they did after being calm initially. But they know on Monday they’ll be right back at it.”