Gateshead 1
Hartlepool United 2

HARTLEPOOL United picked up their first pre-season win at the fifth attempt with a comfortable victory at Blue Square Premier newcomers Gateshead.

A goal in each half from Andy Monkhouse and new signing Denis Behan saw Pools home.

Gateshead had the majority of the ball in the first half and had more efforts on goal but lacked a cutting edge and rarely threatened Scott Flinders.

Pools made the breakthrough midway through the first half when a deep Anthony Sweeney cross from near the corner flag was headed home by Monkhouse.

Wide man Wayne Phillips twice went close for Gateshead while Flinders saved from Graeme Armstrong and Kris Gate volleyed wastefully over.

The Tynesiders were left toothless up front after the break with Armstrong inured, and poor marking saw Pools double their lead on 54 minutes.

Jonny Rowell’s deep corner found Behan in space and the Irishman powered a ten-yard header into the roof of the net.

With only half of the floodlights working the gloom ad descended before second half sub James Brown, in action for the first since November after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, tested former Pools keeper Jim Provett with a well struck effort.

Pools were denied a clean sheet when Alex Fancis curled a shot into the bottom corner.

■ Midfielder Ritchie Jones has asked to leave Hartlepool by submitting a written transfer request.

Teams

GATESHEAD: Provett, Baxter (Pelonde 66), Robinson (Cave 77), Gate, Curtis (Swailes 59), Jones, Brittain, Tunbull, Armstrong (Francis 45), Richardson, Phillips Sub (not used) Farman (gk)

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Flnders, Sweeney, Smith (Lamplough 69), Rowell (Power 65), Liddle, Hartley, McSweeney (Foley 73), Jones, Boyd (Brown 65), Behan (Grouloch 73), Monkhouse (Mackay 81) Subs; (not used) Tymon, Cook (gk) Att: 386