IF John Coleman was looking for a reaction after Stanley’s 2-1 defeat to Stevenage at the weekend then he certainly got it on a cold night at the Store First Stadium.

The manager revealed that he had to tell his players a few home truths after that defeat in Hertfordshire, and they responded in superb fashion here, with Shay McCartan the star of the show, netting twice including a brilliant individual effort.

It was just a shame that so few people were here to see it, with only 947 in attendance – including 109 from Hartlepool.

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Coleman was forced into a change after Saturday with Nicky Hunt out with injury.

That left him with just three fit defenders to choose from, and McCartan came into the side, with Lee Molyneux moved to left back, and McCartan playing further forward on that side, while Dean Winnard moved across to right-back.

Michael Duckworth looked to expose any vulnerability down that flank with a strong run from full-back early in the game, he was allowed to dribble square and hit a left-footed shot which beat Joronen’s drive, but also just beat the post.

Stanley’s first opening came through James Gray, who dragged a shot wide of the far post from the left-hand side of the area having been played in by Sean Maguire.

The same two men linked up again on 16 minutes, with some neat exchanges on the edge of the area leading to Maguire having a shot blocked, before his acrobatic volley from the follow-up was held low down by Scott Flinders in the Hartlepool goal.

If the sparse crowd needed something to cheer on a cold night then they were given it with McCartan’s quite wonderful strike.

He picked the ball up midway in the Hartlepool half and took the direct route to goal, beating three man as he forced his way into the area and then lifting the finish over Scott Flinders and in to the top corner.

The visitors could have been level on the half hour but for a fine save from Joronen, who turned Michael Woods close range shot over the bar when it looked destined for the roof of the net.

The away side were level before the break though, when Ryan Brobbel’s free-kick from the left-hand side was flicked into the far corner of the net by Michael Bates.

Parity only lasted a couple of minutes for the team from the north east, as John O’Sullivan’s corner was headed in by Rob Atkinson, who climbed highest six yards out and powered his header into the back of the net.

O’Sullivan almost added to the advantage within minutes of the restart, taking on Dan Jones down the outside but sending his shot just wide of the far post.

Pools had their best spell of the game after that, with substitute Matt Crooks having a shot blocked from 12-yards out, before the same player blazed horribly over from a similar distance after a low ball in to the area.

With the pressure continuing to come Coleman took the decision to move Molyneux further forward, moving Winnard to left-back and bringing captain Luke Joyce to right-back, while Anthony Barry came on for Maguire in midfield.

The game was put beyond Pools with 13 minutes remaining. O’Sullivan again got to the by-line and his low cross forced a scramble in the box, before McCartan tapped home from close range.