HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner was a relieved man on Saturday.

Relived his side kept a clean sheet, relieved to see his side hold onto a lead and relieved to chalk up his first home League win of the season.

Three points against an average York side, thanks to a workmanlike show, may not set the pulses racing, but it was enough to chase away the doubts and ensure there was no hangover from the previous two weeks.

There's also the small matter of a derby with Darlington looming on the horizon.

Against Macclesfield and Mansfield, Pool managed to throw away what seemed comfortable advantages and came away with only one point from six.

Kevin Henderson's fifth goal of the season earned the points and while the last few minutes may have been played out with an air of nervousness, this time there was no giving the game away.

Maybe York weren't good enough to get back, but no one in blue and white was complaining.

But there were plenty of complaints from the visitors, whose second-half display was greeted with a round of slow hand-claps from the fans who booed their side off.

And while Terry Dolan saved City from a relegation scrap last season he needs to improve on this display if he is to match last season's achievements.

Not that Pool boss Chris Turner hasn't got something to live up to, though. He reached the play-offs last season courtesy of the second-best home record in English football, thanks in no small degree to a string of 1-0 wins.

They weren't all as simple as this, but Turner admitted: "I suppose we are back to normal now. One-nil wins are the same and maybe this was the way forward for us.

"This wasn't about startling football, not because we didn't want to play it, but it was the way of the game. Obviously we were a bit more nervous towards the end than we should have been, but that was because of the last two games.

"The response in training during the week has been excellent and it was carried through to Saturday.

"We got back to basics and got a result because of a workmanlike performance.

"Psycologically, our first win at home lifts the shadow that has been hanging over the players.

"I would like to think that we can do like we did last season, but you have to remember that we had an exceptional home record - we were only one point behind Manchester City who had the best in the country.

"If we can do that then we will certainly do well. We have tried to improve the away results and so far they have been a bit better and now we have to give it our best shot at home.

"Of course we wanted the second goal, but it didn't matter in the end and every team is going to win some games like that - but we should have another five points in the bag.''

Turner brought in Steve Baker on loan to slot in as the middle man in the back three. And the Middlesbrough defender gave an assured display, surrounded by Gary Strodder and Chris Westwood.

Perhaps the best compliment to pay is that he did the job as well as the man he was brought in to replace, skipper Micky Barron.

"He's only had one training session with the lads, but he was exceptional in that position,'' said Turner. "He showed how he is used to the role at a higher level of football, but adapted to the third division. He is a carbon copy of Micky Barron and filled in well.

"Chris Westwood is a better marker and he feels more confident in that role rather than having to sweep up, and the defence did very well.''

Behind a settled defence Anthony Williams kept his first clean sheet in six outings since replacing the injured Martin Hollund. Williams stopped Pool from going behind when he kept out City's only real opening of the game after 12 minutes.

Alex Mathie held off Baker and Westwood and turned ten yards from goal, but Williams was quickly off his line to block with his feet.

Mathie showed some good touches and neat line-up play, but his efforts were in vain.

Turner has described Henderson as Pool's "Johnny on the Spot" and he was in the right place to steer home Paul Arnison's cut back from six yards on 33 minutes.

The strike was Henderson's fifth of the season and he is well on the way to beating last season's haul of eight and maybe get towards that 20-goal target Turner has been crying out for.

Strike partner Tony Lormor was replaced by Tim Sperrevik in the second half and the big Norwegian almost made it two.

Sertori lost his footing and the striker homed in on goal, only to be denied by Fettis who palmed out his fierce drive.

City were down to ten men on 79 minutes when Mark Sertori lunged in on Henderson with a two-footed challenge. Referee Mark Cowburn, who spent most of the game stopping play for niggly fouls and petty offences, had no qualms in showing a red card.

Sertori protested his innocence, claiming he won the ball and admitted: "It was a fair challenge.

"If I deserved to be sent off I would admit it and would have walked without complaint from the pitch.''