Hartlepool United climbed to third in the National League after a Boxing Day 3-1 victory against Halifax Town.
The perfect start to the game came just after seven minutes. A Featherstone corner went all the way to the back post and that man again, Johnson was there to head the ball in and make it 1-0 to Pools.
Halifax bounced straight back just seven minutes later. Chadwick, the man on loan from Hull city fired the ball into the top right corner to equalise 1-1.
After 22 minutes, Dave Challinor was forced into an early change. Sterry played a wonderful cross in from the right-hand side, both Armstrong and Ferguson threw themselves at the ball but neither can connect and Ferguson connected with the post. Bunney replaced Ferguson.
The second half was started in a strong manner from Pools. 50 minutes in, A good break on the right from Shelton, played the ball to Oates, some good feet from the striker who shot, but the shot is blocked.
56 minutes in Hartlepool got their deserved lead. Shelton played in Rhys Oates who made his run into the box and smashed the ball past Johnson into the bottom left corner. A thoroughly deserved goal for Oates battled hard with the Halifax defence all game.
After 69 minutes it went from bad to worse for Halifax as they were reduced to down to ten men. Bell flew in for a challenge on Odusina and the referee had no option but to brandish a second yellow card for the striker.
The game was wrapped up in the 89th minute with substitute Mason Bloomfield making his impact. Bloomfield ran at the Halifax defence and a venomous strike beat Johnson to finish the game 3-1.
Pools will travel to Notts County on Monday as the hectic December schedule continues.
SUBS:
Bunney for Ferguson '22
Bloomfield for Oates '83