PAUL Smith made his first start of the season yesterday - and carried on from where he left off last season by inspiring Hartlepool United to victory.

Smith has been sidelined since being injured in Pool's first pre-season friendly win on July 10.

But he helped create both goals as Pool beat Hull City 2-0 at Victoria Park.

Smith started the move which led to Eifion Williams' opener and then sent over a cross for Gordon Watson to make it two as Pool dominated.

And boss Chris Turner warned Third Division defences there is more to come from the former Burnley man.

"He isn't 100 per cent fit yet,'' warned Turner. "But having him available is a great bonus. He gives us something extra from his crosses and set-pieces. He will only get fitter and stronger with the more games he plays.''

He added: "We had a lot of opportunities and a lot of near misses. It was pleasing to see both strikers score, Eifion works hard across the line and deserved his goal.''

Pool will be disappointed with the crowd of 4,236, their lowest of three home games this season, and Cleveland Police's decision to make the game an all-ticket affair will have shattered the chances of a bumper Bank Holiday attendance.

But the Pool fans who weren't among the hundreds turned away, went home happy with their team sitting a point behind leaders Rushden.

Pool have taken ten points from from five games - last season it took until October 13 to reach double figures and that was after 13 games.

Yesterday it took Smith just 50 seconds to whip over his first cross of the day, but it came to nothing as Ian Ashbee cleared.

Two minutes later, it was Darrell Clarke's turn to fire a ball into the danger area. Mark Robinson's mishit shot pushed it back towards Mark Tinkler, but he scuffed his effort wide from eight yards.

Williams had an effort ruled out on ten minutes, after Tinkler was adjudged to have pushed his way to winning a header from Smith's corner.

Smith might only have been 15 minutes into his comeback from injury, but Hull already had a close eye on him and Ben Petty was booked for clattering the winger as he schemed to go by the full-back.

And on 32 minutes, Smith was the instigator of Pool's opener.

He floated the ball down the line for Watson to race onto, his cross from the left was diverted to goal by Williams and although keeper Matty Glennon blocked the effort, the striker was quick enough to poke the ball into the net to open his account for the season.

As Pool turned the pressure up, Clarke's fiery right-wing cross was nodded away from Watson's path and the on-rushing Smith nodded wide of the far post as he tried to catch Glennon flat-footed.

Hull, for all their grandiose plans pre-season of big money signings, promotion and a new stadium, looked ordinary.

Their first and only shot of the game came in first-half injury time when Simon Johnson fired an off balance, right-footed effort over the bar.

Hull striker Gary Alexander must have been stuffing himself with Victoria Park's prize-winning pies at the interval because two minutes after the break he looked about as agile as Coronation Street's Fred Elliott when he squandered a chance from eight yards.

With the ball at his feet he took an age to try to push the ball at goal and when he did it bobbled woefully wide.

Watson could have made it two for Pool on 51 minutes. Smith's free kick was nodded on by Lee into Watson's path and he tried to head over Glennon, but the ball dropped on the roof of the net.

But Watson wasn't going to miss out and last season's leading scorer bagged his third of the season on 63 minutes.

Smith's corner was played to substitute Paul Arnison on the edge of the area, but instead of shooting he cleverly returned the ball to Smith and from his cross Clarke's header was bundled in.

Watson squandered a chance for his second minutes later when instead of shooting at Glennon with only the keeper to beat he squared the ball with the aim of finding Smith. Justin Whittle cleared, but the ball found Smith at the second time of asking and he skied over.

After Smith's successful return, he was replaced in the closing stages by Tommy Widdrington, another who has not featured this season after injury troubles, and the pair were given standing ovations as they swopped places.

On this performance, it won't be the only accolade coming Smith's way this season.

Read more about Hartlepool here.