'It gives us a great platform' – Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor discusses 4-0 win over Stockport County and two red cards

Pools go into Christmas right among the play-off places as another Luke Armstrong brace along with goals from Rhys Oates and Ryan Johnson saw Dave Challinor’s side claim a deserved three points.

And after a difficult run of results in the National League, the Pools boss feels the win could prove to be a crucial one going into a busy run of matches.

“It was an important game for us because we know we’ve got a tough run of games going into the new year,” he said.

“The games here at home are crucial for us so to win comfortably against a top side is a massive confidence boost for us but we’ve got to build on it.

"We need to start showing a consistency with our results and back up tonight’s result with another result on Boxing Day.

“Hopefully it gives us a great platform, the table is all over the place at the moment but from a player’s perspective or a fan’s perspective, it’s a lot nicer looking at the table and seeing your name up at the top end.”

Ash Palmer and John Rooney were both shown red cards for Stockport, who sat a point above Pools in the table ahead of the match with three games in hand.

On the dismissals, Challinor added: “It’s hard to say for the first one [Palmer]. He doesn’t mean to do it but it was dangerous so it’s a tough one.

"I’d be disappointed to be on the receiving end of it. The second one [Rooney], we all know what was said to the official and I don’t think it was the bad language, I think it was questioning the integrity of the officials.

“But regardless of the sendings off, we got ourselves deservedly in front 11 v 11.

"When they went down to 10 we became a little bit edgy but we responded brilliantly at the start of the second half and effectively put the game to bed.

"From then on it was a very enjoyable evening, the one slight criticism I can have is that we didn’t win by more goals!”

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