RYAN BIRD netted on his debut to earn Hartlepool United a much-needed home victory.

The striker, signed this week on loan from Cambridge United, turned in a Jack Compton cross from close range on 73 minutes to earn Pools a fourth home win from five games. 

And, more importantly, it keeps them alive at the foot of the table - victory  leaving them six points from safety. 

Boss Ronnie Moore described this week - as Pools take on Wimbledon, Dagenham (Tuesday) and Burton (Saturday) as season defining, insisting nothing less than seven points will do.

And they started with a win. 

But the first-half was desperately poor. The Dons were the likelier to score against a flat Pools side.

Goalkeeper Scott Flinders smothered a Jake Reeves effort and defender David Winfield headed against the bar.

And it took a half-time blast from Moore to spark Pools up.

Two low Jack Compton deliveries from the left caused problems, the second saw centre-half Adedeji Oshilaja slice into his own goalkeeper’s hands.

Pools were dealt a blow when Michael Woods was stretchered off and taken to hospital with a serious ankle injury.

But it galvanised them and, after David Mirfin volleyed over, Compton created the winner.

He broke down the left and crossed for Bird to turn in from close range for a debut winner.

With an unprecedented 12 minutes of stoppage time to play out following Woods’ injury, Pools kept the Dons at arms’ length.

Woods has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, with a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula.

“Michael has undergone a procedure under anaesthetic to put the ankle back in place,” explained club physiotherapist Ian Gallagher. 

“The next step now is for us to see the Club’s consultant as soon as possible and decide whether surgery is the best option.” 

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flinders; Duckworth, Harrison, Mirfin, Austin; Franks (J Jones 77), Woods (Featherstone 63), Tshibola, Compton; Smith, Bird. Subs: Maxted (gk), Walker, Harewood, D Jones, Morgan.

AFC WIMBLEDON: Shea; Fuller, Winfield, Oshilaja, Kennedy; Potter (Azeez 71), Bulman, Reeves, Rigg (Moore 71); Akinfenwe, Tanner (Connolly 84). Subs: McDonnell, Smith, Phillips, Beere.

Referee: Carl Boyeson (Hull)

Bookings: Fuller (39, foul); Potter (68, foul), Winfield (90, foul)

Attendance: 3,345