Exe-factor Pools home in on safety

Dave Jones feels Hartlepool United have developed the right mentality at home – now it’s the time to take that on their travels.

The Pools boss saw his team roll up their sleeves and come from a goal down to beat Exeter City 3-1 on Saturday.

Goals from in-form Lewis Alessandra (2) and Padraig Amond on Saturday extended the unbeaten run at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium to five matches – the club’s best run at home since the early months of 2014 under then boss Colin Cooper.

Pools remain six points clear of the drop zone, following Leyton Orient’s win at bottom club Newport.

Jones has been impressed, especially the last two games where Pools have shown resilience, against Crewe and Exeter, before turning it on with three second-half goals on both occasions. It was the first time Pools have registered back-to-back wins, but the manager wants this to now be the norm.

“I’ve been told we broke two records, so it’s about time we did it away from home,” he said.

“If someone is going to come into our domain and get something they are going to have to earn it. We don’t give anything away, that’s the mentality we are drumming into them.

“Then away from home, it’s a different mentality.

“You have to be dogged and stick it out, earn the right to play. But if you can turn your home place into a fortress, then it all helps.”

Jones says fourth-bottom Pools have deserved the spoils, not just by the spirit shown but by the shape they have displayed.

And it is that determination and discipline which he hopes will bring rewards when Pools visit third-bottom Notts County and Cambridge over the next two fixtures.

“They were three good finishes, but overall it was a well-deserved victory,” he said. “Away from home we have been two and three down of late and it’s hard, it becomes a case of damage limitation. But at only one you always have a chance.”