A Mani Dieseruvwe double handed Hartlepool their first home win in over a month with a 3-1 victory against Eastleigh.
John Askey made one change to the team that played at Boreham Wood on Wednesday night - that was a straight swap as Joe Grey replaced Oliver Finney.
Questions were asked on Tom Crawford's fitness after he was forced off early in midweek with an injury. The midfielder was able to start, and what an impact he made.
Luke Hendrie drove down the right flank and set Crawford on the edge of the area, who drilled a strike into the bottom left corner past Joe McDonnell on eight minutes.
Moments later, Pools nearly went two up. Nicky Featherstone, making his home return, swung a corner towards the front post where Dieseruvwe could only nod off target.
With 22 on the clock, Eastleigh levelled. It came through Chris Maguire, with the experienced winger sending a pinpoint free-kick into the top corner for the visitors.
There were two chances around the half-hour for Pools. First, Zak Johnson hooked a volley towards goal from a Featherstone corner but it smashed off teammate Josh Umerah. Then Hendrie tried his luck from distance, but McDonnell claimed the effort as the right-back lost his footing.
Crawford's lofted pass fell into the feet of Umerah on 38 minutes, and the striker tried a strike on the spin but McDonnell again prevented Pools from regaining the lead.
Eastleigh's chance to get in front came five minutes before half-time. Enzio Boldewijn capitalised on a defensive mistake but the Dutch winger was denied through a combination of Pete Jameson and Manny Onariase.
Askey's side started the second half brightly. Hendrie played into the feet of Umerah, who fought off his man and stung an effort at McDonnell from inside the box.
That was a sign of things to come, as Pools continued to press and eventually regained the advantage. Joe Grey won the ball from Charlie Carter inside the Hartlepool half and turned defence into attack, which finished with Hendrie crossing into Dieseruvwe to head the ball home.
There were two opportunities for Hartlepool either side of the hour mark. Crawford snatched at an effort from Featherstone's corner and hit over the target, before Umerah sent a free-kick wide from close-range.
The third arrived on 66 minutes. Grey latched onto Hendrie's pass on the right flank and crossed low into Dieseruvwe, who prodded home at point-blank range to make it 3-1.
From there, Pools stayed strong and saw the game out. Pete Jameson was twice called into action in the dying minutes, but Eastleigh couldn't find a way past the home goalkeeper for a consolation.
Pools XI: Jameson, Ferguson, Johnson, Onariase, Lacey, Hendrie, Featherstone, Crawford, Grey, Umerah (Wreh 73), Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Dixon, Seaman, Dolan, Finney
Goals: Crawford (8), Dieseruvwe (54, 66)
Eastleigh goals: Maguire (22)
