SAM COLLINS engineered a welcome Hartlepool United victory to lift Pools off the foot of League Two.

A week after being embarrassed by Carlisle at Victoria Park,  a defeat that brought the resignation of manager Colin Cooper, Pools responded with their best display of the season.

After too many poor displays this campaign, this one was positive and full of energy.

Pools lined up with a 4-2-3-1 set-up, with Lewis Hawkins and Dan Jones making their debuts and impressing.

Jones headed against the crossbar in the first-half, while Hawkins had a key role in both goals.

Scott Flinders, who kept the captain’s armband despite the return  to the side of Matthew Bates, made two vital first half saves, keeping out a low Matt Grimes free-kick and then a 25-yarder from Jimmy Keohane.

Pools went ahead when a slide-rule pass from Hawkins, fed Michael Duckworth in behind the defence and his cross was met by Michael Woods, who acrobatically volleyed in.

It was almost a quick-fire two, but a Hawkins shot was blocked on the line.

Pools didn’t have to wait long for the second. Hawkins fed Charlie Wyke in the area and the striker on loan from Middlesbrough picked his spot to curl low past goalkeeper Christy Pym.

Wyke and Hawkins both went close before the Grecians got one back with ten minutes to go. From Keohane’s free-kick, defender Christian Riberio bundled in from close range.

Flinders save from a Keohane shot and substitute Wheeler headed over from close range under pressure from Duckworth.

But they were good value  for their third win of the season as they halted Exeter’s four-game winning streak.

Pools have lost only once in their last nine visits to St James’ Park.