Craig Harrison hopes win will be no flash in the pan, as the manager hails impact of Hartlepool United front three

Pools recorded their first win since November 21 on Saturday, as they saw off the part-time Surrey outfit 3-2 at Victoria Park.

In many ways it was a season-best performance, especially given the amount of chances created and football played, despite being down to the absolute bare bones of the squad.

And manager Harrison wants his players to press home their advantage tomorrow night when they take on Halifax, a side they hammered 4-0 in the Autumn.

He wants them to make sure this result is the start of a meaningful revival, not just a brief upturn in a downward spiral.

“Hopefully this is the start of a winning run,” said Harrison.

“All we have to do is look back at the ugly game at Guiseley which got us going earlier this seaon. We went 17 games with only three defeats and if we can go the last 14 games without defeat we will be in a good place.

“The win is a big one. The club needed it. That’s the most important thing. However long people are at a club – players and manager - the club is all that matters. These are testing times.

“We can only try and add to it on the pitch and today our game plan worked well. The lads have had an intense week in training – tactics, analysis – and we wanted to force Woking long to allow us to defend the long ball.

“It all worked perfectly for us.”

Meanwhile, Harrison has hailed his goalscoring front three.

Devante Rodney netted his first National League goal of the season to get the ball rolling before Jake Cassidy added to his growing tally before Rhys Oates netted on his return after a long lay-off.

“Devante took his goal well, and could have had more,” said Harrison.

“He is a very young lad who hasn’t played a lot of football – he is a beast.

“But people seem to forget he is only 19 and has not played an awful lot of football. He will score goals, but he will also do the other things (miss chances). The only way that will improve is with more hours in training and more game-time.”

Harrison, who had just 13 senior players at his disposal at the weekend, continued: “The front three were excellent, power, pace, aggression. Oatesy has been out a long time and came through it, Cass has done well up front against their defenders.

“Cass took his goal well and it’s a boost for him. I’ve had a long history with him since he was 17 and I signed him in Wales at Airbus at 16 and he was bouncing men about, he’s been to Wolves and had a decent career.

“A couple of injuries have hampered him and we have not got to see the best of him. He’s come back early and now he’s playing he will finish the season strong.

“Rhys was tired, but should be OK.”