Pools' pinning hopes on Fenwick

But it remains to be seen if Hartlepool United are on solid ground on and off the pitch.

It’s not that long ago he was playing for Dunston UTS in the Northern League and working as a civil engineer.

Signed by Paul Murray during his brief stint in charge at Victoria Park, Fenwick was again in the right place at the right time on Saturday to clinically finish.

And it was telling that when he was forced off with injury at the start of the second half, he was really missed.

Fenwick went down with a shoulder injury and couldn’t continue. Initial diagnosis is that his injury won’t keep him out for the next game and he left Prenton Park with his arm in a sling.

With three goals, Fenwick is already Pools’ second-top scorer for the season. They need more, much more in the vital coming weeks, but with Fenwick already surprising boss Ronnie Moore maybe he can be the one to give Pools a chance of avoiding the drop.

"Fenwick has showed me things I didn't think he had,’’ admitted Moore, who was afforded a standing ovation from the Prenton Park crowd on his return.

"He is only a pup and has come from non-league and now he has to learn how to play up top - if I can't teach him then nobody can.

"Without doubt he is learning from the extra sessions we are doing with him.

"I keep telling him to play on the shoulder (of the opposition defenders), he looked at me like I was daft when I first told him that.

"There are one or two things to work on.’’

Fenwick was part of a five-man midfield at Prenton Park, asked to do a job on the left side, but getting across to help support striker Rakish Bingham.

"I asked him to play a different role,’’ added Moore. “But I have said to him when the ball is on the opposite side you have to get into be the other centre forward.

"That is what happened for the goal."

"Scott is the most natural goalscorer we have and he was in right place at the right time.

"He will get us goals, that has never been a problem.

"The problem is his movement - where to go and when to go and when to run.

"We will teach him that and make him a better player.’’

And Pools are getting better too. This was their most complete performance of the season, and a game they fully deserved to win.

Right from the off they were positive and took the game to Rovers. The gap between Pools and Moore’s former club remains nine points. It should be six.

The manager insisted before the game he would not tolerate anyone letting him down at Prenton Park and the players took notice.

While the goal they conceded was too soft and another that could have been avoided, they did respond well.

Rather than conceding within minutes of giving a goal away, they actually scored themselves.

Aaron Tshibola crossed from the right, Michael Woods’ shot was brilliantly saved and Fenwick was there to net.

And from then on, there was really only one team going to win. They created as many chances in one away game as they have in ten this season. Backed by a healthy following, this actually felt like Pools were in a proper game of football.

Interestingly, after watching them crumble at Shrewsbury the week earlier, the club’s proposed new owners weren’t at Prenton Park amid plenty of chatter about their takeover not being authorised or completed yet.

"The players knew how important this game was for me and I thanked them for turning up for me,’’ reflected Moore. "They have gone out and performed and I was very pleased with how we kept the ball.

"The back lads had it, the midfield and the movement was good.

"We can't just live on that game though, we have to do the same against Plymouth this weekend.

"If we keep creating those chances then sooner or later they will go in.

"It was good to start creating because there have been very few opportunities recently.

"I am pleased with that but the players are starting to take it on board.

"The three new lads have done well and I am still hoping to bring two more in.

"That will give us more to work on.’’