Neil Austin played an hour on his return from injury as Pools Reserves won a scrappy encounter against Scunthorpe United.

Both goals arrived out of the blue at the end of the first half as Micky Barron's men ran out 2-0 victors.

A quiet half burst into life seven minutes before the break when Peter Hartley's cross field ball was collected by Colin Larkin who drove inside before cutting back for Denis Behan who finished low into the net.

Four minutes later, Pools doubled the lead and again it was Larkin who provided the creativity down the right, finding Billy Blackford whose shot towards goal was turned in by Michael Mackay.

Denis Behan could even have made it three just before the break but he was denied by Scunthorpe keeper Peter Crook.

Neither side looked particularly likely to add to the tally after the break.

Peter Hartley was first to fire on goal but he saw his effort tipped round the post.

At the other end, Mathew Godden headed against the post before Jon-Andre Fredriksen almost squeezed a shot home near the end, which was collected at the second attempt by Peter Crook.

A more dogged display from Barron's side after the disappointment of last week's Cup defeat at the hands of Gateshead.

FullTime: Pools 2 Scunthorpe United 0

Pools: Mooney, Austin (Purvis 60), Bjornsson, Johnson, Hartley, McSweeney, Blackford (Martin 65), Fredriksen, Mackay, Behan (Hassan 76), Larkin.
Subs: Richards, Snaith.

Scunthorpe United: Crook, McClennahan, Coleman, Palmer, Canavan, Wright, Comer, Raynes, Boyes, Godden (Thewlis 73), Grant
Subs: Adkins, Williamson, Howe, Greenhoff