SAM Collins was delighted to hand the Hartlepool job over to Dave Jones on the back of a 2-0 League Two win over Stevenage.

Jones, having been appointed on Wednesday evening, starts work properly on Monday – as Collins took interim charge at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium in the dug out alongside new assistant managers Alex Armstrong and Kevin Cooper.

And Pools produced an impressive performance in front of their new boss, who watched on from the stands as Nicky Featherstone and Brad Walker sealed the three points.

Collins believes the victory, coming after Rhys Oates spurned a 41st-minute penalty, gives Jones something to build upon when he takes the reins on Monday.

Collins, who will revert to coaching the club’s under-21 side on Monday, said: “It was a good day, the players did what we asked them to so I’m really pleased. We changed tactics, I did the press interviews in the week and I said I have seen the team all season and had my own ideas.

“There was a few things with and without the ball I felt we could do better and I felt we did it today.

“We go two up and they had a bit of a spell and they had a bit of a reaction. But when we got the ball down and passed it we looked a good team.

“I said there may be two or three little surprises in the squad and there was with young lads involved and Nathan (Thomas) back in the squad. We have some talented kids here.

“There will be changes at the club, I’ve spoke to the gaffer and his staff and I’m looking forward to it a lot. Exciting times are ahead for the club.

“There’s different factors why we did well, I know the players, I knew what I wanted to do and we will always get a reaction to that.’’