Anthony Mancini scored the winner as Hartlepool United moved into the National League’s top 10 by beating Oldham Athletic 2-1.
The Frenchman kept his cool to score in the 53rd minute at the Prestige Group Stadium as Lennie Lawrence’s side came from behind to defeat the Latics in a New Year’s Day cracker.
Josh Lundstram had given the visitors the lead against the run of play, but Pools deserved to go into the break on level terms, via skipper Luke Waterfall’s first goal of the season.
Boss Lawrence made two changes to the side who lost 4-3 at Gateshead, with Gary Madine starting up front alongside Mani Dieseruvwe, while Dan Dodds came back in defence. It meant Nathan Sheron was switched to midfield with Jack Hunter moving down to the bench.
Pools should have been ahead in the seventh minute with Madine. It was put on a plate by Dodds, following good play by Mancini, but the in-form striker totally missed the ball from five yards.
Mancini looked irresistible early on and was almost in three minutes later after some good skill and persistence, but Matthew Hudson came out sharply to get the ball.
Oldham had barely had a kick, but when they did they went ahead, with a stunning strike by Lundstram.
Quality strike though it was, you could not help feel Pools were unlucky as seconds before the goal they had a potential attack stopped for an Oldham injury.
Buoyed by Lundstram’s brilliance, the Latics then enjoyed their best spell of the half with Josh Stones heading straight at Adam Smith from a Mark Kitching cross.
Pools had played some great stuff in the first half without reward, until the 39th minute.
Nicky Featherstone played in a delightful free-kick and Waterfall pounced from six yards.
There was a great early opening for the hosts seconds after the break when Joe Grey played the ball across the six-yard box but there was no-one there to turn it in.
Grey shot over after another quality move in the 51st minute, but just two minutes later the blue and whites went in front when Mancini struck.
It came from a top-notch ball from the left by David Ferguson. Oldham could not get the ball clear but the French genius collected and scored from eight yards.
Oldham were not out of it with Lundstram poking one wide on the hour while Dan Gardner had a shot well saved by Smith.
The Pools stopper was required to pull out a top drawer save eight minutes from time. A 25-yard strike from ex-Pools striker Mike Fondop looked destined for the keeper’s top corner but the goalie flew high to his right to claw it away.
Tom Parkes screwed one over from a Ferguson cross late on but in the end, Mancini’s goal was enough for Lawrence’s side to start the New Year with a win.
Pools: Smith, Dodds, Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Grey (Sloggett 84), Sheron, Featherstone, Mancini (Hunter 78), Madine (LuaLua 69), Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Young, Sass-Davies, Wallace, Aungiers
