Caretaker manager Lennie Lawrence guided Pools to a 2-1 win over Oxford City, with goals from Tom Crawford and Joe Grey.
Lawrence named several changes to the Pools line-up as Luke Hendrie and Crawford returned from injury, while Anthony Mancini made his first start since the end of August.
And it was Mancini to impact proceedings early. The midfielder darted forward and set Callum Cooke, who fired narrowly wide following a deflection.
Pools looked strong in the opening stages, and a possession-based move in the eight minute resulted in Nicky Featherstone driving a low effort into keeper Jack Bycroft.
Moments later, Pools were denied by the woodwork. Grey received the ball at his feet inside the six-yard box, before turning and smashing the upright.
David Ferguson created yet another opportunity for the hosts, after the left-back drove into the Oxford half and released Mancini who so nearly found the top right corner.
On the half-hour mark, a remarkable piece of play around the Oxford penalty area resulted in Featherstone releasing Ferguson but nobody could get onto the end of his low cross.
After Mancini and Grey had big chances at the start of the second half, it would be Crawford to open the scoring on 55 minutes.
Mancini brought the ball forward and following an initial Dave from Bycroft, Crawford was there to slot home the rebound and put Pools ahead.
Grey then made it two with 61 on the clock. Mancini delightfully turned in the penalty area against three defenders before Grey poked home for his sixth of the season.
Josh Parker hit the post for Oxford from a dangerous free-kick on 77 minutes. And seconds later, the Hoops equalised as Seydil Toure scrambled home a corner.
But Pools held onto the three points, and almost found another in the dying stages through Grey and Callum Cooke.
Pools: Dixon, Stephenson, Hendrie, Onariase, Ferguson, Wallace, Featherstone, Crawford, Cooke (Hancox 88), Mancini (Hastie 66), Grey
Subs (not used): Jameson, Pruti, Paterson
Goals: Crawford (55), Grey (61)
Oxford City goals: Toure (77)