Hartlepool United continued their positive start to the Enterprise National League season with a 2-0 win over Altrincham at the J.Davidson Stadium.
Alex Reid’s second goal in consecutive games gave Pools an early lead.
Reiss McNally’s header before half-time extended the lead to give Pools a comfortable advantage.
Simon Grayson’s side started the match as the stronger of the two sides, getting a handful of early chances.
It took only five minutes for Pools to break the deadlock as Jamie Miley fed through Reid beautifully for the striker to finish one-on-one.
Jay Benn departed prematurely due to a strain, Matty Daly replacing the full-back 20 minutes in.
Daly came close to assisting Reid in the 33rd minute, his cross just too high for the seasoned forward.
Daly got his assist on the stroke of half-time, his corner meeting the head of McNally to make it 2-0.
Alty came close to getting a goal back on a number of occasions, but the combined Pools defence were able to keep them out.
Cam John cut out James Gale on 63 minutes, denying the forward of a clear chance on goal.
As the game panned out, it seemed certain that Alty would get on the scoresheet, but Pools kept them at bay.
Harvey Cartwright was called to action in the latter stages of the game, keeping out a series of shots from Altrincham players.
The result secured a third consecutive cean sheet for Pools, with seven points out of a possible nine.
Pools: Cartwright, Benn (Daly 20′), John, Kouogun, McNally, Francis, Johnson (Hunter 68′), Sheron ©, Miley (Walker 84′), Reid (Charman 84′), Topallaj
Unused subs: Smith, Campbell, Parkes
Goals: Reid (5′), McNally (45′)
Away attendance: 337
