Craig Hignett gets off to winning start at Hartlepool
Craig Hignett got his managerial career off to a winning start as Hartlepool claimed a 2-1 win against Yeovil.
Appointed manager on Wednesday following the dismissal of Ronnie Moore, the former Middlesbrough forward cut a satisfied figure on the Victoria Park touchline.
They almost got off to a dream start, with midfielder Jake Gray clipping the crossbar with an angled shot after only 24 seconds.
Glovers defender Nathan Smith crashed a shot against the outside of the post from 10 yards under pressure.
But visiting goalkeeper Artur Krysiak produced a fine reaction save on the stroke of half-time, sticking out an arm to deny defender Dan Jones' flicked header.
Pools took the lead in the 59th minute through a controversial penalty which was awarded when Nathan Thomas was felled by Jakub Sokolik on the edge of the penalty area.
Captain Billy Paynter made no mistake from the spot for his 10th goal of the season.
Thomas could have made it two minutes later but he clipped over from close range after a swift break.
The second goal did arrive after 72 minutes, with centre-back Adam Jackson towering in a header from a corner.
The Glovers' misery was compounded in the 78th minute when Smith was sent off for shoving Paynter in the face.
But they got a goal back in injury time when Francois Zoko headed in at the far post from a Simon Gillett cross.
Source: PA
