A brilliant solo effort from Michael Mackay was enough for Pools to take their first away victory since November.

It was a much-changed Pools' side that took to the field at Boundary Park this evening, both in personnel and performance.

Andy Monkhouse, recalled to the left wing in place of David Foley, found himself at the heart of the early action as he seemed determined to make the most of his place in the eleven.

And the tricky winger went close to opening the scoring after just two minutes of play; good movement by Mackay down the right wing saw the forward play an inch-perfect pass into the box for Monkhouse who poked the ball towards goal only for Mark Crossley to block clear of danger.

Wilson's men looked confident and solid in possession as they pressed the hosts from the start, forcing three corners within the first ten minutes of play.

Jamie McCunnie lifted the third of the kicks in from the right and Sam Collins, back in the eleven after his four-match suspension, rose well to nod at goal but saw his effort just deflected wide by the defender.

Pools suffered a blow after twenty minutes when Richard Barker took a bad knock to his left knee when challenging to intercept an Oldham attack and was unable to continue. Joel Porter replaced the big striker and joined the attack alongside a lively Michael Mackay.

Oldham's Jordan Robertson made his way down the left wing, flashed a great ball right across face of goal, looked set to sneak in at the far post only for Lee-Barrett to get down well and finger-tip the effort round the post.

And that was the last of the action for Robertson who was forced to leave the game through injury just minutes later and was replaced by loan signing Leon Constantine.

As Pools held firm at the back, with Nelson and Collins looking very solid, Wilson's men were able to push on in search of an opener and Antony Sweeney saw his close-range header crash against Mackay and edge out of danger.

With injuries to Latics' keeper Mark Crossley and Gary Liddle also going down with a knee injury, there was plenty of stoppage time in the first half as both Physios spent almost as much time on the field as the players.

As the six minutes of additional time ticked away, a ball in from the left from Ritchie Humphreys found Joel Porter, who flicked it on for Michael Mackay but his turn and shot went rolled just wide of the far post and the teams went in all square.

After the break McDonald, the hosts came out strongly and looked a much brighter proposition as they worked Pools harder at the back.

And they had an early chance on goal when Chris Taylor nipped inside from the right to fire curling shot in at goal just scarped wide of the far post as the hosts upped their game and looked bright.

And there was something of a melee for Pools at the back as Mark Allott pushed on through the centre, twisting and turning his way past the defence before the ball eventually went out to Gary McDonald. He put in the final shot from the left side of the area but Lee-Barrett reacted well to get down and block the shot out for a corner kick.

Pools maintained composure throughout and used the break well - a corner kick saw McCunnie whip the ball in from the right and it was Andy Monkhouse who rose highest to power a header at goal, which was well-saved by Crossley.

Michael Nelson fired in the rebound but his effort went just wide of target.

Wilson's men looked in confident mood - for the first time in some weeks on the road - and, after another impressive spell of pressure, Gary Liddle rifled in a fierce shot from distance, which went high over the bar but emphasised the mood on the field.

At the other end, Chris Taylor proved a nuisance as he twisted his way towards the box before firing a shot at a crowd of Pools defenders - luckily Michael Nelson was in the right place to take the force of the shot and deflect it back out of the area.

Taylor then forced himself through to a one-on-one with Lee-Barrett but the Pools' stopper was brave as he threw himself into the challenge to snatch possession.

Pools once again burst forward on the counter attack and this time with great success; the ball fell to Michael Mackay on the left wing and the young forward showed great composure to chip a great ball over the on-rushing Crossley, which rose high before dipping perfectly to land in the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Oldham refused to lay down though and had chances of their own after the opener - Lee-Barrett rose well to punch clear from a corner kick while McDonald tried his luck with a chipped effort only to see the ball land just on the roof of the net.

Wilson's men dug deep to hold on to the lead, with Michael Nelson rising well to nick possession from the head of Constantine and Andy Monkhouse looking to cause problems at the other end, whipping a ball in for Antony Sweeney which was just taken by Crossley.

Arran Lee-Barrett made sure the lead was maintained when he blocked a powerful low drive from Deane Smalley from the edge of the area, and then rose highest to collect a ball into the box from Allott.

Despite a few nervy moments as the minutes ticked down, Pools held on for their first away victory since November and it was a much-improved display from Danny Wilson's men that earned the points.

Next up is the visit of Gillingham to The Vic on Saturday afternoon where Wilson will be looking for more of the same from his players.

Pools: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys, Monkhouse, Liddle, Boland, Sweeney, Barker (Porter 20), Mackay (Foley)

Subs Not Used: Elliott, Robson, Craddock

Oldham Athletic: Crossley, Eardley, Hazell, Stam, Lomax, McDonald, Allott, Jarrett (Smalley), Taylor, Alessandra, Robertson (Constantine 34)

Subs Not Used: Bell, Wolfenden, Black