END GOAL DROUGHT IN STYLE

was nice to get a goal and three points. I said to the boys that the video of the goal will be going straight on my Instagram.

“It’s good to take the momentum into the New Year with a win at home, hopefully we can kick on now.

“The way things are going, the position we are in, it was just massively important to get the three points.”

The opening goal came on ten minutes when Amond controlled a loose ball before volleying over Barry Roche.

Club captain Paynter then got in on the act three minutes later when he converted from the spot after Ryan Edwards had handled before Featherstone finished for 3-0.

The Shrimps, who saw Rhys Turner hit the bar in first-half injury time, scored after 52 minutes when Fleming’s shot was deflected in.

But Hartlepool managed to weather the storm, with Edwards’ scrambled effort with the last kick of the game a mere footnote.

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley said: “Goals change games and it gives them a bit of a leg up but we were ok at 1-0.

“But that second goal was an absolute disgrace. I’ve got to be careful what I say but I seem to be saying the same thing. How the referee has not seen that’s a foul on Ryan Edwards for the handball, I do not know. Then at 2-0 it’s all hands to the pump. “We hit the crossbar right on half-time, we knew we could get goals. We kept huffing and puffing but we just lacked that bit of composure. “It’s disappointing to lose the game but credit to the boys for battling away.”