Chris Turner's Pools side saw off Championship side Sheffield United this evening to guarantee their place in the Second Round of this year's Carling Cup competition.
A first half goal from James Brown gave Pools the perfect start, while a second-half spot kick from Adam Boyd sealed a comfortable and deserved 2-0 victory for Turner's men.
Pools looked solid and assured from kick off this season and got off to the ideal start when James Brown hit the opener on six minutes.
Andy Monkhouse fed the ball on for the bustling Joe Gamble who was pushing through in to the box; Gamble fired a powerful blast at Steve Simonsen but the keeper blocked his effort.
Fortunately the rebound fell nicely for Brown who saw his return strike touched on by the keeper as it found its place in the bottom left corner of the net.
And Pools looked a very well-organised outfit throughout; the front trio of Brown, Monkhouse and Adam Boyd caused multiple problems for the visiting defence, while at the back Collins and Liddle were in fine form.
Collins in particular was a rock, proving more than a match for anything Sheffield United had to offer.
There were chances for Pools to capitalise on their advantage, with Gamble trying his luck with a fierce blast from twenty yards and a corner from the Irish midfielder also causing problems for the Blades defence.
At the other end, Flinders had only two real saves to make as the big stopper was largely untroubled in the first forty-five.
While Sheffield United did enjoy more possession after an opening twenty dominated by Chris Turner's side, Pools looked a confident outfit and were composed throughout.
The only thing Turner would have wanted more of from his team were goals, but Pools took a deserved 1-0 lead into the break.
And James Brown went close to starting the second half just as he had the first, with a goal.
The tricky forward, unleashed a low drive from the left of the area which skimmed across the box only to be unconvincingly fumbled behind by Simonsen.
Unfortunately that was the last of the action for Brown who limped off in the 53rd minute with a knee problem.
McSweeney almost made an impact with his first touch as he whipped a dangerous ball in from the right only to see Sweeney's attempted kick blocked and cleared.
Despite the bright start from Pools, the second half was much more open and the visitors looked increasingly threatening when in possession.
Mark Yeates went close with a low left-footed drive which scraped just wide of the far post with United's closest effort.
But a great ball over the top for Sweeney set Pools up for their second to give a more comfortable cushion.
Sweeney picked up possession inside the box and tried to shoot on goal and, while his effort was blocked, as the midfielder tried to regain control, he was bundled to the floor by Jon Ertle.
The referee was right on hand and immediately pointed to the spot; Adam Boyd stepped up and hit a confident ball past Simonsen and into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2-0 to Pools on 60 minutes.
Joe Gamble, part of a very confident midfield trio this evening, unleashed a fierce left foot drive from distance which curled past the keeper only to scrape just wide of his left hand post.
Pools remained solid, working hard in every area to keep Sheffield United at bay - and there was almost a third when the lively Sweeney, who looks to be revelling in Pools' new 4-5-1 formation, whipped a teasing ball into the box from the right.
Sub Denis Behan was waiting to poke home in the centre of the area but Andy Taylor stuck out a foot to slice the ball over the bar.
While the work going forward was impressive for Pools this evening, the back line were resolute throughout, keeping the Championship visitors at bay to the final whistle. Andy Monkhouse got in a great header to clear a strike on goal in the dying minutes as Poold held on for the clean sheet.
This was a confident, composed and positive display by Pools to ensure their passage through to the Second Round of the Carling Cup and will give the team a further boost going into Saturday's League One game with Swindon Town at The Vic.
Att: 2520 (630 Sheffield United)
Bookings: Pools - Fredriksen (78), McSweeney (84) Sheffield United - Ward (81)
Pools: Flinders, Haslam, Collins, Liddle, Horwood, Sweeney, Gamble, Murray (Fredriksen 72), Monkhouse, Brown (McSweeney 53), Boyd (Behan 74)
Subs Not Used: Rafferty, Larkin, Bjornsson, Hartley
Sheffield United: Simonsen, Montgomery, Morgan, Ertl, Britton, Yeates (Quinn 73), Taylor, Cresswell (Bartley 82), Kozluk, James (Ward 67), Chapell
Subs Not Used: Roe, Crichton, Speed
